17 September,2026 12:34 PM IST | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government would fulfil the accepted demands of the Maratha community. File pic
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday welcomed Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange's decision to end his hunger strike, saying the state government has already accepted 12 of his 13 demands and will fulfil them.
Speaking to reporters after attending the flag-hoisting ceremony in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Hyderabad Muktisangram Din, also known as Marathwada Liberation Day, Fadnavis said the government had appealed to Jarange to withdraw his protest.
"I am happy that Manoj Jarange called off his hunger strike following our appeal. We have already accepted 12 of his 13 demands. Regarding the remaining demand, we have explained the judicial issues involved."
Fadnavis said commitments made by the government and its sub-committee on Maratha reservations would be honoured, while administrative procedures still needed to be completed.
"The decisions have already been taken, but the administrative issues involved need to be addressed, and we will do so," he said.
The chief minister said the state government remained open to addressing concerns of the Maratha community. "Whether it is me or (Deputy CM) Eknath Shinde, the Maratha community has received the most during our tenure," he said.
Jarange ended his 20-day hunger strike on Thursday morning but warned that he would take the agitation to Mumbai if his demands on Maratha reservation were not addressed within three months.
Fadnavis also wished Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday and spoke about programmes planned to mark the occasion.
"I wish PM Modi on behalf of the people of Maharashtra on his birthday. PM Narendra Modi does not celebrate his birthday, so we have decided to organise various programmes on the occasion. Through ''Seva Saptah'', we will serve the people in different ways and ensure that they receive what they need," he said.
Asked about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's criticism of the Centre over an ongoing UPI-related issue, the Maharashtra CM said he was not familiar with the subject and had only read what was provided to him.
He said the Centre had already issued a clarification on UPI and there was no need to repeat it.
"Those who criticise should know that India has developed the world's largest payment system under the leadership of Narendra Modi. It is being used by several countries. Digital transactions and UPI ensure that subsidies are transferred directly into beneficiaries'' accounts, helping to eliminate corruption," Fadnavis said.
CM Fadnavis also criticised the Shiv Sena (UBT) agitation underway across Marathwada since September 6 over projects announced for the region but yet to be implemented.
"It is the agitation of those who achieved nothing despite getting an opportunity. We have shown what we have done in the past, and we will continue to do so in the future. Earlier, when I said that flood mitigation measures would be brought to Marathwada, they mocked us. But we made it happen, and tenders were floated. The project was approved by the World Bank, and funds were sanctioned," the state chief minister said.
He added that the government had prepared a detailed project report for a proposal to bring water from Konkan.
"I want to ask them (the Thackerays): Who developed the DMIC (Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor)? Who brought investments to the region? Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Jalna have now become an EV magnet for the country. Who made this possible? They can continue opposing us. This is an agitation by blusterers," he added.
(With inputs from PTI)
