Maharashtra-based Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil has revealed that his continuing hunger strike is taking a serious toll on his health, casting doubt on whether he will be able to carry out scheduled tour plans. Speaking from the protest site, Jarange described experiencing intense burning sensations in his stomach and feet, symptoms that have raised concerns among supporters and medical observers alike.
Jarange, who has been at the forefront of the Maratha community's demand for reserved seats in education and government employment, said the decision to prioritise the ongoing fast over personal comfort was deliberate. "Reservation is more important than the tour," he stated, acknowledging that continuing the fast had made any extended travel virtually impossible in his current condition.
The activist has been undertaking a prolonged fast as part of sustained pressure on state authorities to implement caste-based reservations for the Maratha community. Over the years, the demand has seen periodic surges in intensity, with Jarange frequently resorting to hunger strikes to draw attention to what he describes as unfulfilled promises by successive state governments.
Health experts monitoring the situation have warned that prolonged fasting without adequate medical supervision can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and other complications. Reports suggest that Jarange has been consuming only limited fluids during the fast, which may be contributing to the burning sensation he described in his lower extremities and abdomen.
Supporters and fellow activists have urged him to take a brief break and seek medical attention, but Jarange has remained steadfast, insisting that the cause of reservation demands cannot be put on hold. Political leaders from across the spectrum who have interacted with Jarange in the past have often called for dialogue, though the activist has maintained that tangible policy action remains the only way forward.
With the tour now appearing unlikely due to his deteriorating physical condition, all attention remains focused on the hunger strike and the broader question of whether the Maharashtra government will offer concrete steps toward Maratha reservation in the coming weeks.
