Drought worries outweigh Jarange issue, says Bawankule, urges Mumbai protest be deferred

As the Maratha reservation issue heats up in Maharashtra, falling rainfall in several districts has deepened farmers' worries. Amid this, revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule made a pointed statement, saying that what Manoj Jarange Patil is doing or what his stand is matters far less right now than the state's drought situation and the question of farmers.

Manoj Jarange Patil is travelling from Jalna to Mumbai to press the demand for Maratha reservation through a protest. This has drawn political reactions, and Bawankule's remarks have sparked fresh debate.

Bawankule said rainfall has been somewhat deficient in around 18 districts of Maharashtra, leading to the risk of crops drying up in several places. He said a meeting of all district collectors was called yesterday, and the situation will be reviewed again with collectors today at 4 pm.

He further said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed that the drought situation in the state be taken seriously. The cabinet meeting has ordered an immediate survey. An assessment is being made of how farmers in each district can be helped, and once the full report is ready, it will be placed before the upcoming cabinet meeting.

On the planned protest in Mumbai, Bawankule appealed to the protesters. He said a protest in Mumbai could raise law and order concerns, so holding it during Ganeshotsav would not be appropriate. He also made clear that the government's position is that no one's rights, whether of the OBC or Maratha community, can be taken away.

Bawankule said Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde have already taken several decisions on the demands of the Maratha community. The government is working with the intention of delivering justice to the Maratha community, and it should be given a little time for this.

He also said preventing farmer suicides and standing firmly with them in this crisis is currently the government's biggest responsibility. According to Bawankule, the Chief Minister will be given a review report on the state's situation next Tuesday, and the guardian minister along with the administrative machinery will also visit the affected areas in person.