Maratha quota row: Jarange calls for ‘guerrilla strategy’, asks supporters to move to Mumbai ahead of Sept 12 deadline

Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange who is once again on a hunger strike has urged community members to adopt a guerrilla strategy and quietly begin moving towards Mumbai and prepare for a major agitation if the government fails to implement their demands by September 12 news agency PTI reportedJarangersquos appeal came a day after the Maharashtra government indicated its willingness to discuss legally valid demands of Marathas even as the activist remained firm on the Kunbi caste certificate for community membersLast year Jarange had started a protest at Mumbais Azad Maidan on August 29 causing traffic chaos in the city The protest was called off days later on September 2 after the state accepted six of eight demands and began issuing Kunbi caste certificatesJaranges hunger strike enters its third dayJaranges indefinite hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district entered the third day on Monday He refused to take intravenous IV fluids on Sunday August 30 despite doctors advising him after his blood sugar levels fellHe also made an emotional appeal saying that even if he died during the hunger strike his body should be taken to Mumbai for the agitation PTI reportedNo contact between Jarange and Maharashtra government say supportersAccording to his supporters the government has not yet established official contact with the activist for talksJarange has further claimed that 58 lakh records were found of the Kunbi genealogical link of Marathas but the government was trying to slash this figureHis principal demand is Kunbi recognition for members of the Maratha community similar to the benefits enjoyed by OBC groups in education and government jobsAlong with his primary demand the other demands include reservation based on the Satara Gazette withdrawal of all police cases registered against quota protesters across Maharashtra and providing government jobs and financial compensation to the families of those who died during the previous agitationsJarange urges supporters to start moving towards MumbaiDo not put flags on your vehicles Start going to Mumbai quietly from now itself Learn to remain discreet and enter Mumbai without anyone knowing that Marathas have arrived Jarange saidThe activist appealed to protesters to stay with relatives friends and acquaintances in Mumbai rather than immediately gathering at Azad Maidan or outside the chief ministers official residenceThe Maratha quota activist further stated We are preparing to go to Mumbai I appeal to the Maratha community to gradually go to Mumbai by September 12 and stay there according to your convenience The authorities should not know that Marathas have arrived in MumbaiHowever the activist appealed the protesters to remain peaceful and avoid arson or violenceHe said that if the government did not accept the communitys demands by September 12 a meeting would be held at Antarwali Sarati on the same day to announce the final date for the Mumbai agitationThe activist had earlier said the proposed agitation could be conducted in five phases and called upon supporters to be prepared to bring around 40 to 45 lakh motorcycles to MumbaiJarange asserted that he would not withdraw his hunger strike and would accompany the protesters to MumbaiGovernment open to discussing legally viable demands Maharashtra CMChief Minister CM Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said the government is open to discussing constitutionally valid and legally viable demands and not those violative of the Supreme Courts ordersDeputy CM Eknath Shinde also spoke on the issue while addressing a rally of agriculturists in Parbhani on Sunday and said that the Mahayuti government and Jarange are on the same page in supporting farmersWith inputs from PTI