Mumbai, May 30 -- Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil on Saturday began an indefinite hunger strike under the scorching sun without any shade in Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district, despite ongoing talks with the Maharashtra government over his demands and a written assurance late Friday night that they would consider them.

Water resources minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil reached Antarwali Sarati to persuade Jarange-Patil to call off the protest. However, the first round of talks failed to produce a breakthrough, as the government sought more time to implement key demands. Jarange-Patil chose to sit in an open field under the scorching sun with food and water despite the minister's insistence that he move his agitation to a shel...