India, Sept. 17 -- After maintaining a firm stand for nearly a week, the state government softened its position and sent a draft proposal to Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil on Wednesday, the 19th day of his indefinite hunger strike. The government also appealed to him to call off the strike and cancel his planned march to Mumbai as it could disrupt the Ganesh festivities.

Jarange-Patil, however, said he is determined to reach Mumbai on September 18 and lead the protest but is open to dialogue with the government. He said if he is stopped from entering Azad Maidan, "lakhs of Marathas would proceed to Mumbai".

The activist, who is pushing for OBC reservations for the Maratha community, left Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district on...