Take steps to prevent suicides of Maratha youths: Activist to govt

Mumbai: Maratha quota activist Sunil Kawale who ended his life, in a four-page suicide note, urged members of the community from his region to travel to Mumbai to “participate on October 24” for the cause. October 24 is when the 40-day deadline set by quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil for the state government to grant reservation to Marathas ends. Jarange-Patil has asked for the community’s inclusion in the OBC quota by giving Marathas Kunbi caste certificates.Police said a patrolling team on WEH rushed to the spot when they got information a person had been found hanging from the connector bridge. Kawale was rushed to Sion Hospital, where he was declared brought dead around 1.38 am. Kawale’s note to Marathas read, “Don’t worry about losing four days of work or stay and leave taken by school-going children. All should participate in the cause.” At the end of the note, Kawale noted that he wanted to say “sorry to all for this act.”Jarange-Patil, who is in Mumbai at present, said the government was to blame. “I don’t know why government has decided to sacrifice people. Our brothers will get reservation. I have been holding my breath for many years. Hold your breath for a few more days. What is the use of taking a quota if children start to commit suicide? But all this is the government’s fault. It is fully responsible for this. No one should die by suicide. Kawale’s sacrifice should not be in vain. The government should urgently take a decision on Maratha reservation. The government will not be able to afford any agitation after the 24th,” he said.Jarange-Patil said things would not have reached this stage if the quota matter had been settled. “The government should not see the end of patience of the Maratha community,” he added.Maratha Kranti Morcha’s Vinod Patil said in a post on X, “My Maratha brothers, this is not the right way to get your demands granted. Many battles have been won by this warrior race of ours in history. Don’t get tired. Don’t leave the battle halfway! Request to the government that henceforth this matter is going to become more serious. At least accept that the issue of Maratha reservation is related to our survival… The government should take immediate steps to prevent suicide of Maratha youths. Otherwise an outbreak is inevitable.” Kherwadi police have registered a case of accidental death and are probing the matter.