Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Quota activist Manoj Jarange in the past few days held a slew of meetings with religious, social, and political workers of the Muslim and Dalit communities from different backgrounds, amid ongoing efforts to ensure that the candidates fielded by him secure a win in the upcoming state assembly poll.
Jarange announced a coalition of Maratha, Dalit, and Muslim communities, promising a united effort to address socio-political inequalities in Maharashtra. Without mincing words, he said that it is impossible to win any election based purely on one community’s votes, which is why he is trying to take everyone along.
In a gathering that included Maulana Sajjad Nomani, Dr Anandraj Ambedkar, Rajratna Ambedkar, and representatives of various groups, Jarange highlighted the coalition’s aim to challenge systemic issues and bring about transformative change.
“This is our commitment against the crises we face,” said Jarange, adding, “We are united in our pain and anguish. The final seal has been set; we’ve come together on all fronts.”
Asserting that young educated but unemployed individuals are a top priority, he said, “Transformation cannot happen without strong alliances. This coalition of Marathas, Muslims, and Dalits is now solidified.”
Jarange announced that on Nov 3, the coalition will reveal candidate names and constituencies. “We’ve reserved a couple of days for more community groups to join us,” he said, affirming that various castes and religious groups would solidify their involvement by that date.
“They tried to humiliate us and commit injustices. We’re determined to start our campaign on Nov 4, through democratic means—no one can strong-arm us,” he asserted.
Muslim cleric Maulana Sajjad Nomani, a notable presence at the gathering, emphasized Maharashtra’s critical role in the nation’s unity. “Maharashtra’s capital is being pulled toward Gujarat. Once an example for the country, Maharashtra has been torn apart by communal divisions incited by vested interests,” he stated.
Criticising those responsible, he said, “Few know the difficult path India is on; divisive forces are in power. I have studied many constitutions, and there’s none like ours.” He also noted the distressing economic issues affecting the state’s farmers: “While Adani and Ambani hold capital, farmers here are committing suicide.”
Jarange responded by outlining the coalition’s electoral strategy, saying, “Where there’s a Maratha candidate, Dalits and Muslims will cast their votes; where there’s a Dalit, Marathas and Muslims will support them; and where a Muslim candidate stands, Marathas and Dalits will vote with full force.”
The coalition plans to rally across Marathwada and western Maharashtra to build momentum. Rajratna Ambedkar called the movement a new kind of freedom struggle, saying, “For us, this isn’t just a third front; it’s a third freedom movement.” Emphasising their mission to bring representation for the marginalised, he affirmed, “Our efforts will send voices of the people into the Assembly.” Jarange summed up, “The time has come for change, and this coalition will ensure that Maharashtra’s politics aligns with the aspirations of its people.”
Courtesy : Times Of India
Note: This news is originally published in timesofindia.indiatimes.com and was used solely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes exclusively for Human Rights
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