MUMBAI, Sep 2: Activist Manoj Jarange on Tuesday evening ended his five-day-old fast 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 OBCs.
Jarange accepted a glass of fruit juice offered by senior BJP minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who heads the cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservation, and other members of the panel at south Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, the site of his agitation since August 29, marking the end of his fast.
The 43-year-old activist was in tears after breaking the fast as his supporters cheered at the protest site, while Mumbaikars, who faced hardship during the agitation, heaved a big sigh of relief.He later left Azad Maidan in an ambulance for medical check-up.
Before ending his hunger strike, Jarange declared victory after a delegation of senior minister, including Vikhe Patil, met him at the protest site and conveyed acceptance of his demands, including giving Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas.
The announcement of victory triggered wild celebrations among his supporters.
Jarange had earlier demanded that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his two deputies — Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar — come to Azad Maidan for him to break his fast.
“This would ensure there was no bitterness among Marathas,’ he reasoned.
Vikhe Patil told the activist said all three are out of Mumbai and appealed to him to break his fast. (PTI)
