Rush Hour: Rupee sinks to record low, Manoj Jarange-Patil begins Maratha quota hunger strike & more

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The Indian rupee fell to an all-time low of 88.3 against the United States dollar on Friday amid concerns about Washington’s 50% tariff rate on goods imported from the country. The rupee fell by 0.65% to end at 88.19, marking its biggest one-day loss in nearly three months.

The currency had hit its previous lowest level of 87.95 in February. The rupee is Asia’s worst-performing currency this year.

According to a foreign exchange strategist, the tariffs, which came into effect on Wednesday, “are likely to prolong India’s balance of payment stress, keep financial flows weak, and widen the trade deficit”. Read more.

Activist Manoj Jarange-Patil has launched another indefinite hunger strike in Mumbai’s Azad Maidan to reiterate his demand for reservations in government jobs and education for the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes category. This is the ninth protest held by Jarange-Patil in the past two years.

On Friday, he accused the Maharashtra government of “non-cooperation” on the matter and vowed not to back down until the demand was met this time.

On the other hand, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told mediapersons that the government stands...

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