As activist Manoj Jarange called off his 5-day fast over the Maratha quota demand, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday assured that
the state had found a solution in the interest of the Maratha community. Talking to reporters, Fadnavis shared details of the demands that had been accepted and asserted that his government will continue to work for all communities in Maharashtra, be it Marathas or OBCs. "I thank deputy chief ministers (Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar) as well as Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who heads the cabinet sub-committee (on Maratha quota)," he said. "We have found a way out and accepted their most prominent demand to implement the Hyderabad gazetteer. We did not have any two thoughts about it. They were demanding that it should be implemented for all Marathas. But we tried to convince them that reservation is not for a group but for individuals, hence this kind of decision cannot be taken as proof is needed for that. The Hyderabad gazetteer will be of help as a proof," he revealed. The Maharashtra CM shared that if the person's ancestors' name is found in the Hyderabad gazetteer in the Kunbi caste list, then it will benefit them, and as per the rule, they will be able to get a certificate and reservation. "The Maratha protesters also understood this point of view, and they accepted it. We decided to implement the Hyderabad gazetteer wherein old records will be found, the CM said. "I think the Maratha community will get a huge benefit," he said. "We conveyed the legal issues involved in Jarange's demands to him," Fadnavis remarked. Criticism should not deter anybody in politics, he said, adding that the government worked for the welfare of the community. "My objective was to give justice to the Maratha community. My government was always focused on the welfare of Marathas and I will continue to work for all communities in Maharashtra, be it Marathas or OBCs," the CM added. Also Read: Maratha Quota Stir: Manoj Jarange’s Fast on Day 5, Police Ask Protesters to Vacate Azad Maidan
'We will not let dispute happen between Marathas and OBCs': Fadnavis
Fadnavis noted that there was some misconception among OBCs over reservation for Marathas, but it is misplaced. Replying to a query that he faced a lot of criticism and was targeted, the CM said he always believed that in political life, people sometimes praise you and sometimes criticise you.
"From day one, my stand was that we will not let any dispute crop up between the Marathas and OBCs. We can't snatch something from one group and give it to the other. Our decision will benefit both of them and I think we have done that only. I am happy that we could take a good decision that will benefit the Maratha community in a big way," he said.
Manoj Jarange, who began his hunger strike on August 29, called off the protest on Tuesday afternoon after the Maharashtra government accepted most of his demands, including granting eligible Marathas Kunbi caste certificates which will make them eligible for reservation benefits available to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
The 43-year-old activist accepted a glass of fruit juice offered by senior BJP minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who heads the cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservation, and others at south Mumbai's Azad Maidan, marking the end of his fast.
(With PTI inputs)
