Rajya Sabha MP Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje ended his fast on Monday after the Maha Vikas Aghadi government promised to implement all their demands regarding Maratha reservation and other welfare schemes.
The decision came at the end of a three-hour meeting called by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and other cabinet colleagues at his official residence Varsha. Sambhajiraje was represented by a delegation of Sakal Maratha Coordination Committee.
Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje Agha Badho Hum Tumse Hain Hain, Ek Maratha, Lakh Maratha Amidst the slogans he ended his fast after consuming orange juice from two children and his wife Sanyogitaraje. After this, Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil, Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde and Medical Education Minister Amit Deshmukh gave juice to Sambhajiraje.
Before Sambhajiraje ended his protest, three cabinet ministers apprised Sambhajiraje of the government’s decision regarding Maratha reservation.
Shiv Sena Minister Eknath Shinde said, “The Charter of Demands made by Sambhajiraje has been accepted as a whole. The government will implement all the decisions in a time bound manner.
The list of demands is as follows:
A vision document for Sarathi will be prepared in consultation with experts by June 30, 2022. Skill development programs will be incorporated along with new vocational courses; All vacancies in Sarathi will be filled by March 15, 2022; Land will be made available for seven sub-centres of Sarathi; Rs.100 crore provided to Annabhau Patil Economic Mahamandal, out of which Rs.80 crore has been released, remaining Rs.20 crore will be provided soon; Rs 100 crore to be given through supplementary demands; A new credit guarantee loan policy will be developed for Maratha students studying abroad and for vocational courses; Loan amount to be increased from Rs.10 to Rs.15 lakh; Administrators in Annabhau Patil Economic Corporation will be appointed before March 15, 2022.
The most important decision taken by the government was to consider the appointment of all those students who were selected under Maratha reservation till September 9, 2020. The government has agreed to create new posts to accommodate these candidates in government jobs.
Addressing the gathering at Azad Maidan, Sambhajiraje said, “Since the government has agreed to implement all our demands effectively, I end my fast.”
Sambhajiraje not only represents the Maratha community but also the OBCs.