Jarange Patil Claims Fake Cases Filed Against Maratha Protesters Under OBC Pressure

Mumbai: Continuing his aggressive stand against the OBCs, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil has alleged that OBC leaders pressurised the state government to file fake cases against the Maratha youths during the Maratha reservation agitation. The government acted at the behest of OBC leaders, he alleged.

The statement of Jarange-Patil has come on the backdrop of the allegations of OBC leaders, who have accused the activist of spoiling the law and order situation in the state.

Jarange-Patil has demanded that all Marathas be given Kunbi certificates to enable them to secure quota benefits under the OBC category. However, the OBC leaders have opposed his demand saying it would jeopardize the chances of other OBC communities.

Jarange-Patil said, "We (the Maratha community) are not responsible for damaging the law and order situation in the state. In fact, we are appealing for peace. This (the Maratha reservation) agitation is the most peaceful agitation in Maharashtra. The common OBC person is not concerned about it. But, their OBC leaders are indulged in violence during the agitation."

The activist reiterated his allegations of OBC leaders opposing the Maratha reservation. "The (OBC) minister, the leader of opposition, who occupy the constitutional posts, are vocal against the Maratha reservation. It was the OBC leaders who pressurised the state government to file fake cases against the Maratha activists, he added.

Several followers of OBC leaders in districts like Nanded, Hingoli, Solapur are filing fake cases against the Maratha activists and the state government too is acting on their behest. But we will not rest till we get the reservation, Jarange-Patil said.