A fasting Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange has stopped taking intravenous (IV) fluids, liquid and he may face health problems due to dehydration, said a civil surgeon on Monday as the protester intensified his stir and appealed to Maharashtra’s political parties to stand with the community on the reservation issue.
Jarange’s serum creatinine and bilirubin levels are on the higher side, potentially indicating his kidneys are not working well and possibility of a liver ailment, Jalna district’s acting civil surgeon Pratap Ghodke said.
The activist, aged around 40, is on an indefinite hunger strike since August 29 at Antarwali Sarati village in adjoining Jalna district in central Maharashtra demanding reservation in government jobs and education under the OBC category for the Maratha community.
He has stopped taking IV fluids and liquid since Sunday evening, Ghodke told PTI.
The family doctor of Jarange has been told to persuade him to undergo treatment and take medicines, said the surgeon.
“The health of Manoj Jarange is a matter of concern for us. He is not taking liquid intake or IV fluids since Sunday. His serum creatinine was slightly on the higher side (1.5) two days back. His bilirubin was also on the higher side,” Ghodke said.
He may face health problems due to dehydration, Ghodke warned.
“In the evening (on Monday), we sent another team of doctors to examine Manoj Jarange. We have also told his family doctor and near and dear ones to talk to Jarange and persuade him to take medical treatment,” Ghodke said.
“Our team of doctors went to see Jarange yesterday (Sunday evening). But he refused to get himself checked,” said the civil surgeon.
Meanwhile, Jarange, speaking to Marathi news channel ABP Majha, urged all political parties in Maharashtra to stand with the community on the quota issue.
“The Maratha community has taken care of all political parties in the last 70 years…now it is their turn to stand with the Maratha community. Community members will be able to see which party stands where with them,” he said.
Asked if he was willing to give more time to the state government to settle the reservation issue, Jarange said quota supporters are ready to listen if an official delegation comes to hold talks with them.
“We have given them ample time….70 years. But if they are willing to listen to our demands, and if a delegation comes to hold talks, we will surely listen to them,” said the activist.