Maratha Quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil said today that he would launch an indefinite fast on January 25 to increase pressure on Devendra Fadnavis government to accept the Maratha community’s demands for reservation in jobs and education under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.

Manoj Jarange-Patil urged the members of the Maratha community to attend the protest in large numbers. He said that no one should stay at home, and they should come to Antarwali Sarthi (village). He added that they must show their collective strength. However, he mentioned that there will be no compulsion or pressure on anyone.

The Maratha Quota activist accused the state government of cheating and said it failed to fulfil its promises to the Maratha community. He said that the community will not spare the government if they don’t meet their demands during the ongoing winter session.

He further demanded that the state government implement the draft notification that recognises the Kunbis as related by birth or marriage to the Marathas (sage soyare) and grant reservations to the latter under the OBC category.

Manoj Patil also demanded that the state speed up the work undertaken by the Justice (retd) Sandeep Shinde Committee. The Mahayuti government formed the committee to expedite the process of granting Kunbi certificates to the Marathas, which makes them eligible for reservations.

Furthermore, the 42-year-old activist, stressed on the same demand, went on six hunger strikes last year. Notably, in February 2024, the Mahayuti government unanimously passed a bill providing 10% reservation for the Marathas in education and government jobs under a separate category.

Nonetheless, Jarange has been insisting on a quota for the community under the OBC head. The agrarian Kunbi community already receives quota benefits under the OBC category.

Previously, before voting in the Maharashtra assembly election, Patil withdrew his list of candidates and decided to support the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) against the Mahayuti alliance.

He  withdrew from the fray as he had not received a response from smaller allies representing castes like the Dalits and Muslims. He had been banking on them to field candidates as part of his plan. Additionally, he also said that he had realised that no election could be fought in the name of a single caste.

PM Narendra Modi today alleged that the Congress neither promoted farmers welfare nor allowed anyone to do the same. The Prime Minister was addressing an event named Ek Varsh-Parinaam Utkarsh in Jaipur to mark a year of the BJP forming the government in Rajasthan.

PM Narendra Modi also alleged that the Congress promoted river water disputes between states and cited the alleged delay in completing the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) as the direct proof of the party’s intention.

Addressing a public meeting at Dadiya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Congress never wants to reduce water problems. He added that the water of the rivers used to flow across the borders, but the farmers did not get its benefits. Instead of finding a solution, the Congress continued to promote water disputes between states, the Prime Minister said.

He further claimed that the Congress talks big in the name of farmers but neither do they do anything for the farmers themselves, nor do they let others do it. He maintained that his party intends to promote dialogue between the states, unlike the Congress.

He added that they believe in cooperation, not opposition, and in solutions, not disruption. Therefore, their government has approved and also expanded the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project, he stated. The Prime Minister also mentioned that as soon as the BJP government was formed in MP and Rajasthan, an agreement was reached on the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal project.

Narendra Modi also reflected on the Sardar Sarovar Dam project in Gujarat and accused the Congress and some non-governmental organisations of adopting various tactics to stop the project. He added that the Congress never wants to reduce water problems, underlining that the water of the rivers used to flow across the borders, but the farmers did not get its benefits.

At the event, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for 24 projects related to energy, road, railways and water worth more than Rs 46,400 crore. He also said that the Pravati, Kalisindh, and Chambal project will provide irrigation and drinking water facilities to 21 districts of the state, and also accelerate the development of bordering regions in Madhya Pradesh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reflected on the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha election and said the mandate to the NDA for a third consecutive term was historic. He further appreciated chief minister Bajan Lal Sharma for laying a strong foundation for the state’s development.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Sri Lankan President on Monday expressed gratitude to India for economic support during the island nation’s financial meltdown and crucial assistance in restructuring bilateral debt. President Dissanayake is on his first bilateral visit to New Delhi after assuming power in Colombo.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that they faced an unprecedented economic crisis some 2 years ago and India supported them immensely to come out of that quagmire. He added that the economic assistance also helped them immensely after that, especially in the debt-free structuring process. He further noted that Sri Lanka secures a very significant place in India’s foreign policy.

In a joint press statement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India’s bilateral projects in Sri Lanka are always based on Colombo’s development priorities. The Prime Minister said that India has so far provided 5 billion dollars in line of credit and grant assistance to Sri Lanka, and have cooperation in all 25 districts of Sri Lanka.

Narendra Modi also announced new projects including assistance for the rehabilitation of the signalling system at the Maho-Anuradhapura railway section and Kankesanthurai Port. He further declared monthly scholarships to 200 students in the universities of Jaffna and Eastern Province. He also affirmed that in the next 5 years, India will also train 1500 civil servants from Sri Lanka.

PM Modi stated that along with housing, renewable energy and infrastructure, India will also cooperate for the development of agriculture, dairy and fisheries in Sri Lanka. India will also participate in the unique digital identity project in Sri Lanka, he continued.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan president also assured that his country will not allow its territory to be used in any manner that is detrimental to India’s interest. He conveyed that PM Modi assured full support and he also assured that he will always protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka. He added that the cooperation with India will certainly flourish and wants to reassure continued support for India.

PM Modi also said that India will soon finalise a defence cooperation agreement with Sri Lanka. He said that cooperation on hydrography has also been agreed upon, and they believe that the Colombo Security Conclave is an important platform for regional peace, security and development. Under this, cooperation will be enhanced on topics like maritime security, counter terrorism, cyber-security, fight against smuggling and organised crime, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.