Jalna: Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil convened a meeting with prominent Muslim and Buddhist religious figures, leading to a historic decision for a united electoral front. This coalition, advocating for Maratha reservations and greater rights for marginalised communities, will officially announce its candidates on November 3. As momentum builds, Jarange Patil’s message of unity has begun resonating beyond Maharashtra, with an endorsement from renowned Islamic scholar, Maulana Sajjad Nomani. “In the form of Manoj Jarange Patil, India will find a new Gandhi,” Nomani remarked at the event.
Maulana Nomani, widely respected for his spiritual guidance, expressed his commitment to expanding Jarange’s message of equality and justice nationwide. Reflecting on Jarange’s Marathi roots, he announced, “Jarange will teach me Marathi, and together, we will share his vision across the country.”
Speaking at the gathering, Maulana Nomani addressed the pressing social and economic challenges in Maharashtra, particularly the struggles faced by marginalised communities. He highlighted the state’s economic vitality, noting Maharashtra’s status as a financial powerhouse and warning against economic policies that redirect capital towards Gujarat, thereby threatening the state’s autonomy and cultural identity.
“Maharashtra’s history is one of unity and shared values,” he said, citing historical figures like Ibrahim Khan, who served as an artillery chief under Shivaji Maharaj. Nomani condemned efforts by political organisations like BJP and RSS to fragment society along religious lines.
“For decades, I have strived to bring together Muslims, SCs, STs, women, and farmers. Yet, divisive forces are distracting from these issues, shifting attention to debates over temples and mosques instead of addressing people’s real needs,” he emphasised.
Nomani further stressed the plight of Maharashtra’s agrarian community, which has the country’s highest farmer suicide rate. He criticized the prioritisation of large corporate interests over the well-being of farmers, calling for a shift towards the equitable distribution of resources.
