India, Aug. 29 -- Quota activist Manoj Jarange launched an indefinite hunger strike on Saturday, accusing Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of holding a "grudge" against the Maratha community and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde of quietly backing him.

Speaking to reporters before commencing his fast at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district, Jarange demanded the elimination of the caste verification committee and threatened to march to the Chief Minister's residence in Mumbai if the government fails to resolve all pending quota issues.

''Devendra Fadnavis holds a grudge against the Maratha community, and Eknath Shinde is providing covert support through Minister of Social Justice Sanjay Shirsat. If they don't resolve our issues, ...