No decision yet to hold govt-level discussions with Jarange: Maharashtra minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil

Maharashtra minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil who heads the cabinet subcommittee on Maratha quota said on Wednesday that no decision has been made at the state level as of now to hold talks with Manoj Jarange after the activist claimed he received a call from the minister reported news agency PTIEarlier in the day Jarange set out for Mumbai with hundreds of supporters demanding a 10 per cent quota for Marathas under the OBC categoryThe activist told reporters in Jalna that he had received a call from Vikhe Patil informing him that a government team would reach Shivneri in Pune district for discussionsA delegation might come for discussion at Shivneri I will not sit in any room the discussion will take place in the open No matter who comes for the talks we will secure the Maratha quota this time he had said reported PTIAs Jaranges claim set tongues wagging Vikhe Patil stated that no governmentlevel decision has been taken yet on holding talks with the activist through a delegationVikhePatil said the government is sensitive towards the demands raised by the Maratha community and referred to some decisions approved by the cabinet subcommittee on MondayA study of the Hyderabad Gazette by the Justice Shinde Committee is underway Until the committee submits its report we appeal to Jarange to suspend the agitation Vikhe Patil said in a statement reported PTIHe stated the government has always taken a positive stand on the issue of Maratha reservationThe cabinet subcommittee on Maratha reservation discussed on Tuesday some of the demands raised by Jarange and granted a sixmonth extension to the Shinde panelThe Shinde committee was established in September 2023 to frame a methodology for issuing OBC certificates for Marathas and find proof to establish Marathas as Kunbi OBCsThe subcommittee meeting reviewed matters related to the Hyderabad Mumbai and Satara gazettes as well as demands concerning the inclusion of sagesoyare under the reservation framework reported PTIJarange has been demanding the implementation of the sage soyare draft notification The Marathi term sage soyare means through birth relations and through relations by marriage reported PTIVikhe Patil recalled that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had taken a special initiative to grant a 16 per cent reservation to Marathas during his first term as chief minister which was later struck downHe alleged that the erstwhile MVA government had failed to sustain the reservationAfter the change of government Fadnavis decided on a 10 per cent reservation he added reported PTIThe Maharashtra Socially and Educationally Backward Classes SEBC Act was enacted in February 2024 granting a 1037 reservation to the Maratha community for government jobs and educational admissions based on findings by the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission MSBCCThe government is making efforts to ensure that the report on the Hyderabad Gazette is submitted urgently This process is somewhat complicated and no injustice should be done to anyone Therefore after the Justice Shinde Committee submits its report an appropriate decision can be taken said Vikhe Patil reported PTIThe minister acknowledged the emotions attached to the Maratha quota demand and claimed that the High Court granted permission to hold an agitation in Kharghar Navi Mumbai on a petition filed against this movement quota stirJarange should now take a broader view Some people should refrain from making unnecessary statements in a fit of enthusiasm The remarks Jarange had made about Chief Minister Devendra Fadnaviss mother were extremely unfortunate It is necessary to ensure that unpleasant situations do not arise Those who have no connection with the Maratha reservation issue should not make loose comments Some people need to restrain their statements he said reported PTIVikhe Patil added that Sharad Pawar who held the chief ministers position four times and Sena UBT leader Uddhav Thackeray are maintaining silence on the issue of Maratha reservationIt seems they want to create a social discord Vikhe Patil allegedWith inputs from PTI