Maratha Quota Activist Ends 5-Day Fast After Breakthrough

In signs of a breakthrough in the Maratha quota agitation, the Maharashtra government has agreed to Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil's primary demand to implement the Hyderabad Gazette that identifies Marathas as belonging to the Kunbi peasant community. The government has also agreed to withdraw all cases filed against those protesting in demand for the reservation. Following a meeting with a cabinet sub-committee, Mr Patil said that once the government issues a resolution, his supporters will vacate Mumbai by 9 pm. Hours after the announcement, he ended his 5-day fast, saying, "We have won". He was seen having water offered by Maharashtra minister Radhakrishna Vikhepatil to end his hunger strike. Mr Patil was on a hunger strike in Mumbai's Azad Maidan to demand reservation in jobs and education for Marathas belonging to Marathwada and western Maharashtra region. The government has said it is taking proactive steps to address the reservation issue.