‘Jarange Is My Brother’: Amruta Fadnavis Invites Maratha Quota Activist Home For A Meal

In a gesture that could add a personal touch to the ongoing Maratha reservation debate, Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has described quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil as her brother and invited him to her home for a meal.

Jarange has been on a protest at Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district for 13 days, demanding reservation for the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.

He has also been seeking implementation of the Hyderabad and Satara Gazette records and the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to eligible members of the Maratha community.

Asked about Jarange and his agitation, Amruta Fadnavis said, “Jarange Patil ji is my brother and I invite him to come for a meal at our home.” She made the remarks while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme in Nagpur on Wednesday night.

Her comments came a day after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state government would do everything possible within the framework of the Constitution to address the Maratha reservation issue.

The Chief Minister, however, made it clear that the government would not take away the share of one community to provide reservation benefits to another. He also said the government had never closed the doors for dialogue, stressing that solutions could be found through discussions.

Amruta Fadnavis also commented on a separate controversy surrounding Navratri and garba celebrations in Maharashtra. She said festivals are inclusive and there was nothing wrong with a Muslim person attending such celebrations.

Her remarks came after state minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane backed a Vishva Hindu Parishad call seeking to bar Muslims from Navratri events.

Amruta said Navratri and garba offer an opportunity to showcase Hindu traditions and suggested that their uniqueness should be introduced to people around the world.

The VHP announced last week that Muslims would not be allowed entry to garba and dandiya venues across Maharashtra during Navratri, beginning October 11.