Maratha activist Jarange refuses fluids on 5th fasting day

Jalna

Manoj Jarange, the activist on an indefinite hunger strike for Maratha reservation, is in declining health as his fast enters its fifth day. Despite this, he has refused intravenous fluids, health officials confirmed. BJP MLA Suresh Dhas visited Jarange at the protest site in Antarwali Sarati, Jalna district, on Wednesday morning, urging him to accept medical help. Since January 25, Jarange and 104 other activists, including women, have been fasting to demand Maratha reservation under the OBC category.

Jarange also demands capital punishment for those involved in the 2024 murder of Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village. Police have arrested seven suspects in the case. While Jarange accepted water on Monday and Tuesday after requests from locals and Deshmukh’s family, he has refused intravenous fluids despite repeated pleas from health officials, including District Civil Surgeon Dr. R S Patil.

Additionally, Jarange has called for the implementation of a draft notification that recognizes Kunbis as sage soyare (blood relatives) of Marathas, thus ensuring their inclusion in the OBC category for reservations. On Saturday, he expressed hope that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis would address the Maratha community's demands, including justice for Deshmukh. This is Jarange’s seventh hunger strike since the September 2023 police lathi-charge on protesters at Antarwali Sarati.