User:Amol Dubale/sandbox

Manoj Jarange Patil has recently become widely recognized for leading the Maratha agitation in Maharashtra, marked by his hunger strike since August 29th. His primary demand is the allocation of reservations for Marathas in Marathwada. The visuals of his protest and reports of a forceful response against Maratha demonstrators have thrust the incident into the national spotlight. Despite several government emissaries attempting to negotiate with him, Manoj Jarange Patil has issued a final ultimatum to the Maharashtra government. He insists that a Government Resolution (GR) addressing the Maratha agitation issue must be issued before any further discussions take place.

Before gaining national attention, Manoj Jarange Patil had been actively involved in Maratha agitations since 2021. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, he organized protests in various parts of Marathwada, particularly in Jalna, while adhering to safety measures such as wearing masks. His advocacy also extends to championing the rights of families affected by suicides during the Maratha agitation. Although his influence was initially localized to Jalna, insiders familiar with the Maratha reservation movement acknowledge that he consistently organized protests for Maratha reservation in Marathwada.

This ongoing hunger strike represents his eighth or ninth agitation in the last two years. In his inaugural protest in 2021, the entire village rallied in support of his cause. Over time, his agitations have garnered increasing grassroots support. Manoj Jarange Patil has now issued a final warning to the Maharashtra government, emphasizing that the cabinet subcommittee on Maratha reservation must meet him to break the deadlock. The Marathas propose adjustments to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation quota, citing the Bantia Committee report, which they argue reveals a 9% gap between the existing OBC reservation and the population-based reservation they seek.

However, the OBCs adamantly oppose any adjustment to their current reservation quota. The government finds itself in a delicate position, trying to balance the demands of the Marathas with impending elections and the sensitivity surrounding potential alterations to OBC reservation. As the situation continues to unfold, Manoj Jarange Patil remains resolute in his stance, asserting that he will escalate the protest until the Maharashtra government issues a GR addressing the Maratha reservation concerns.

Manoj Jarange Patil's Maratha Quota Rally has commenced, originating from Ranga and scheduled to traverse various areas before concluding in Lonavala. To alleviate traffic congestion along the rally route, temporary diversions have been implemented by the traffic police. The Maharashtra Revenue Department is initiating a mandatory survey across the state, crucial for establishing the backwardness of the Maratha community and justifying their eligibility for reservation. This survey holds significance as the Maharashtra government aims to substantiate the community's backward status in the Supreme Court to secure reservation. Meanwhile, Manoj Jarange Patil, with steadfast support from thousands of followers, has issued a final ultimatum, vowing to continue his hunger strike until the Maratha community secures reservation.