Jarange ends fast, but ally Amol Khune raises sharp questions

Manoj Jarange Patil's 20-day hunger strike for Maratha reservation was called off on September 17. Jarange took the decision after talks with a government delegation at Patoda in Beed district. He gave the government three months to meet his demands, saying the future course of the agitation would be decided after that.

Following the decision, Jarange's former associate Amol Khune has strongly criticised him. Khune pointed out that when the government delegation had sought time at the start of the hunger strike, Jarange had taken the stand that he would not give even one minute, and asked how a three-month deadline had now been given.

Amol Khune also raised questions over the talks held with the government delegation at Patoda. He claimed that Jarange stayed on in Patoda out of fear of the Enforcement Directorate. He also said there was talk that ED action could be taken against him and a few others.

Khune also made sharp remarks on Jarange's manner of running the agitation. Asking, "Has any soldier ever gone on a mission crying?", he criticised Jarange, alleging that theatrics were being brought into the agitation.

Amol Khune went further and directly challenged Manoj Jarange to sit before him if he was truthful. He also said that if he himself was proved wrong, he was ready to accept whatever punishment society gave him.

Meanwhile, though Manoj Jarange has called off the hunger strike, he has made clear that the agitation is not over. All eyes remain on the Maratha reservation movement over the three-month deadline given to the government and the stance that follows.