Maharashtra Government Reacts After Activist Manoj Jarange Ends Hunger Strike
Listen to the story
Activist Manoj Jarange has ended his hunger strike in Maharashtra, India. A hunger strike is a form of protest where a person stops eating to demand action from authorities.
Soon after Jarange stopped his strike, the state government made an important announcement. Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, a senior minister in the Maharashtra government, spoke publicly about the situation.
Vikhe Patil said the government is willing to hold talks with Jarange and his supporters. However, he added that the government will not tolerate rude or disrespectful language during these discussions.
His comment about respectful behaviour was widely noticed, as it set a clear condition for any future negotiations. Negotiations are discussions where two sides try to reach an agreement.
Despite this offer of dialogue, the situation has taken a new turn. Jarange has submitted a fresh application requesting permission to begin another hunger strike.
According to reports, Jarange sent this request by email to the Mumbai police. He is asking for official approval before starting the new protest.
It remains unclear whether the police will grant this permission. The outcome could affect how the situation between Jarange and the government develops in the coming days.
This case is part of an ongoing effort by Jarange to push the government to act on issues he considers important. The government, meanwhile, appears to be trying to balance openness to dialogue with a firm stance on how that dialogue should be conducted.
Vocabulary6 words
- hunger strike
- not eating food to protest something
- announcement
- an official statement telling people something important
- minister
- an important person who leads part of the government
- negotiations
- talks where people try to agree on something
- application
- a written or formal request
- permission
- official approval to do something
Quiz
Answer key
1. The government made a significant announcement 2. That rude language would not be tolerated 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Activist Manoj Jarange has ended his _____ in Maharashtra, India.
Soon after Jarange stopped his strike, the state government made an important _____.
Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, a senior _____ in the Maharashtra government, spoke publicly about the situation.
Vikhe Patil said the government is willing to hold talks with Jarange and his supporters.
He added that the government will not tolerate rude or disrespectful language during these _____.
Jarange has submitted a fresh _____ requesting permission to begin another hunger strike.
According to reports, Jarange sent this request by email to the Mumbai _____.
He is asking for official approval before starting the new protest.
It remains unclear whether the police will grant this _____.
The government, meanwhile, appears to be trying to balance openness to dialogue with a firm stance.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think activists use hunger strikes as a form of protest?
- Do you agree that governments should set conditions for how negotiations are conducted? Why or why not?
- What might happen if the police refuse Jarange's new request?
- Have you heard of similar protests in your own country? What happened?