Pune: OBC activists have warned of an agitation in Mumbai if Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange is permitted to protest in the state’s capital.Despite police denying him permission twice, Jarange on Tuesday started from Jalna for Mumbai to expand his agitation over Maratha quota demands. OBC activists, who have been opposing Jarange, on Tuesday said they would chalk out a strategy to counter him.OBC activist Laxman Hake said, “We are closely watching govt’s response to Jarange’s march to Mumbai. If we find that it will not stop him from going to Mumbai, we will plan a parallel agitation in Mumbai to safeguard OBC reservation quota. A meeting of key OBC activists in Pune will be organised in the next few days where a counter strategy will be planned. We will not let govt decide in favour of Jarange, which will adversely impact the OBC quota,” Hake added.Jarange started his indefinite hunger strike from Aug 29 and Hake announced an agitation on Sept 1 to counter him. He started his march to Mumbai but called it off when revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule convinced him to withdraw. Hake said govt is not making efforts to stop Jarange from going to Mumbai.“Ganeshotsav is being celebrated across the state and govt must listen to the police department and order a halt to Jarange’s march. Govt should ensure that law and order is maintained at any cost,” the OBC activist said.Mangesh Sasane, another OBC activist, said, “Govt should not be lenient with Jarange and take legal steps against him if he is challenging the administration.”
