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Saraf added that the state was concerned about the Activist Jarenge Patil's health and urged him to take medical assistance from the state
On Wednesday, the Maharashtra State Government informed the Bombay High Court that the state is taking all necessary steps to amend the rules for issuing Kunbi Certificates to provide reservations to Marathas.
The division bench of the high court, comprising Justice AS Gadkari and Justice Shyam Chandak, was hearing a petition filed by Mumbai lawyer Gunaratan Sadavarte against the ongoing hunger strike by activist Manoj Jarenge Patil.
Advocate General Birendra Saraf, representing the State Government, that it had not even been 20 days since the state issued the notification to amend the rules, highlighting that certain timelines needed to be followed for inviting objections.
"The state is always sensitive towards social maintenance. We have endeavoured to balance it. Last time people marched to Bombay and the state took steps including issuing notification for objection to amend the rules. The law has a certain timeline. In situations like this, continuous fast will lead to various situations which will become difficult," Saraf said.
Saraf added that the state was concerned about the Activist Manoj Jarenge Patil's health and urged him to take medical assistance from the state.
On January 20, 2024, Maratha Reservation Activist Jarenge Patil started marching towards Mumbai from Jalna. Patil sought Kunbi certificates to be issued to the people of the Maratha Community for availing reservation benefits.
The State Government issued a draft notification for issuing Kunbi certificates to Marathas after which the strike was called off.
The State Government issued a notification to amend the Maharashtra Scheduled Castes, Denotified Tribes (Vimukta Jatis), Nomadic Tribes, Other Backward Classes and Special Backward Category (Regulation of Issuance and Verification of) Caste Certificate Rules, 2012.
Advocate Gunaratan Sadavarte, appearing in person, expressed his concern about the Bandh being called by Patil, which is also affecting schools.
Advocate Ramesh Dubepatil, representing Patil, informed the bench that Patil was agitating only in his hometown.
He added that Patil had returned from Vashi and had not marched to Mumbai, showing consideration for the state government's stand.
Dubepatil informed the bench that he was on saline and sought time to seek instructions, as Patil was not keeping well and could not speak.
The bench agreed and posted the matter to be heard tomorrow at 2:30 PM.
Case title: Gunaratan Sadavarte vs State of Maharashtra
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