Bees Attack Manoj Jarange's Maratha Quota Meeting, Several Activists Stung While Fleeing

Chaos

erupted at a meeting addressed by Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange at Antarwali Sarathi village in Jalna district on Sunday after a swarm of bees reportedly attacked the gathering. The incident occurred during a coordination meeting where Jarange was scheduled to hold discussions with regional coordinators regarding the ongoing Maratha reservation movement, eyewitnesses said.Just moments after the meeting began, a swarm of bees attacked the gathering, forcing people to flee in panic. Several coordinators and activists reportedly sustained bee stings. Amid the chaos, Jarange's associates removed him to safety and shielded him with a cloth, PTI reported.

Maratha quota stir: Jarange calls off strike

Earlier this month, Jarange called off his 5-day fast over the Maratha quota demand 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.Also Read: 'Not All Demands Met, But Solution Found': Fadnavis On Maratha Quota Row As Jarange Ends 5-Day Fast Speaking to reporters after the strike was called off, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured that the state had found a solution in the interest of the Maratha community."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 said.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. I think the Maratha community will get a huge benefit," Fadnavis stated.(With PTI inputs)