Mumbai, Sep 12 (IANS) BJP legislator Pravin Darekar, a close aide of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Saturday highlighted the MahaYuti government’s efforts towards addressing Maratha community concerns and appealed to quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil to ensure that the planned agitation in Mumbai remains peaceful and does not disrupt Ganeshotsav celebrations.
He told the reporters that the administration has consistently extended full cooperation and engaged in multiple rounds of dialogue through delegations of ministers and senior leaders.
“Out of 14 demands raised, 12 have already been fulfilled. The remaining one or two demands are entangled in legal frameworks, and the government is making sincere efforts to resolve them,” Darekar stated.
“The government has given everything requested for the community’s welfare and remains fully prepared for further discussions to understand what additional steps are needed,” he added.
Highlighting the MahaYuti government’s track record, Darekar claimed that no previous administration has done as much for the Maratha community as the current government under Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar.
Addressing criticisms regarding government delegation visits, Darekar remarked that resolving the community’s core issues takes priority over which specific leader visits the protest site. He pointed out that ministers such as Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Uday Samant, and BJP legislator Prasad Lad had previously met with Jarange Patil to address concerns.
While acknowledging the constitutional right to protest in Mumbai, Darekar urged the activist to consider the upcoming festive period.
Noting that Mumbai celebrates Ganeshotsav on a massive scale, he requested that the demonstrations do not disrupt public life or traditional festivities.
“The Maratha community has historically demonstrated strength through peaceful and disciplined silent marches,” Darekar said, adding, “We urge the organizers to ensure that the protest remains peaceful and does not cause public disorder or distress during the festival.”
Reiterating the administration’s stance, Darekar affirmed that the government remains ready to dispatch representatives and engage in constructive dialogue at any stage.
Earlier, Jarange Patil announced a march to Mumbai to launch an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan from September 19.
Addressing a gathering at Antarwali Sarati, Jarange Patil declared the detailed route for the march and urged the police administration and Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis not to block their path.
Jarange Patil stated that the march represents the pride and existence of the Maratha community.
He appealed to supporters along the route to step out and offer their blessings, even if they are unable to travel all the way to Mumbai.
He also called upon community members to halt work and join the movement on the specified dates. “We want to conduct a peaceful, democratic hunger strike to claim our rights. If the police block us anywhere along the highway, we will not push barricades or clash with authorities. We will simply sit down peacefully on the road wherever we are stopped,” he stated.
–IANS
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