Beed, 16 Sept (HS):

Deteriorating health may compel Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil to cancel his ongoing march to Mumbai. Jarange, who is on an indefinite hunger strike demanding reservation for the Maratha community, stayed in Patoda in Maharashtra’s Beed district on Tuesday night.

His supporters were present to welcome him at 1.30 am on

Wednesday.

While addressing his supporters on Wednesday morning Jarange expressed

concern about his health due to indefinite fast since August 29, and said

further journey may be difficult. Fast for Maratha Reservation is important,

but getting reservation is more important than his health. However, he said the

tour may be continued beyond Beed after informing the police.

Manoj Jarange started his journey towards Antanwali Sarati on September

15. He was denied permission to stage agitation in Azad Maidan in Mumbai from

September 19, after halting at Shrigonda, Hadapsar and Khopoli on the route.

The tour plan, if continued, may change given his health condition.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Police have refused to grant permission to Jarange’s

agitation quoting security, traffic congestion, disturbance of public services

etc.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar