Maharashtra: Maratha Quota Activist Manoj Jarange Patil Booked For 'Defamatory' Remarks Against NCP's Dhananjay Munde

A case has been registered against Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil for allegedly making defamatory statements against Maharashtra's Guardian Minister of Beed and NCP leader Dhananjay Munde during a protest in Parbhani on Saturday.

According to the FIR filed at Parli City Police Station in Beed, Jarange made controversial remarks during a protest march organized regarding the murders of Suryavanshi and Santosh Deshmukh. The complaint was filed by Tukaram Baburao Aghav, a 32-year-old farmer from Parli, who alleged that Jarange used derogatory terms like "illegitimate descendants" and made other defamatory comments about Munde, both directly and indirectly.

The incident occurred amid rising tensions over Maratha reservation demands. During his speech, Jarange also issued a warning to Munde, stating, "Don't try to turn against the Maratha community that has supported you all along." He further cautioned that if "baseless allegations" against the Maratha community continued, there would be appropriate retaliation.

Jarange also threatened to intensify protests with larger marches if the government continues to ignore their demands. News agency IANS has obtained and shared a copy of the FIR.

According to FIR, the Maratha leader has been booked under section 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).