Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange began an indefinite hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati village in Maharashtra’s Jalna district on Saturday, escalating his protest over pending demands related to reservation for the Maratha community.
Jarange accused Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of being hostile towards the Maratha community and alleged that Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was indirectly supporting the Chief Minister’s position.
Before starting the hunger strike, Jarange told reporters that the government must resolve all outstanding issues connected with the Maratha reservation movement. He also warned that he would take his protest to Mumbai if his demands were not addressed.
“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, we will go to Varsha Bungalow. If the government team comes to talk, we will talk to them. But this is my final agitation… I will not get up till all the issues are resolved,” he said.
Why Has Jarange Started The Hunger Strike?
The latest protest is linked to Jarange’s long-running demand for reservation benefits for eligible members of the Maratha community.
One of his key demands is that Marathas who have valid historical records showing their connection with the Kunbi community should be recognised as Kunbis.
Kunbis are included under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, which provides reservation benefits in education and government employment.
Jarange has repeatedly argued that eligible Maratha families should be able to obtain Kunbi certificates when they can produce valid documentary evidence.
Demand To Remove Caste Verification Committee
Jarange has also demanded the removal of the state’s caste verification committee.
He has questioned why a separate verification mechanism is required when officials such as Tehsildars and Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) perform similar responsibilities in other states.
“The government is trying to deny us certificates by rejecting documentary evidence even when it matches. There should be no caste verification process in the state. In other states, Tehsildars and Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) hold authority, so why do we need a separate verification committee here? The law must be uniform,” he said.
According to Jarange, genuine historical documents should be sufficient for eligible people to establish their claims instead of facing what he described as additional hurdles.
Jarange Says Maratha Youth Must Get Opportunities
Jarange also accused the state government of creating obstacles for Maratha youngsters seeking educational and employment opportunities.
“This government does not want the Maratha community to grow. I have told our people that while valid historical records have been found, the authority to issue certificates remains with officials who are jealous of the community’s progress. The Maratha community must ensure their children become officers so that future generations do not face such hurdles,” he said.
He said his latest agitation was focused on ensuring that young people from the community do not face similar difficulties in the future.
Warning Of Protest At Varsha Bungalow
Jarange has warned that the agitation could move to Mumbai if the government fails to address his demands.
He said protesters could march towards Varsha, the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s official residence in Mumbai, if there is no satisfactory resolution.
At the same time, Jarange said he was prepared to hold talks if a government delegation approached him.
He described the current agitation as his final protest and said he would continue his fast until the pending issues were resolved.
Jarange’s Long Fight For Maratha Reservation
Jarange has been one of the most prominent voices in Maharashtra’s Maratha reservation movement. He has led repeated protests calling for reservation benefits for eligible Marathas through the Kunbi route.
Since 2023, he has launched several hunger strikes over the issue. His protests have repeatedly put pressure on the Maharashtra government to address demands concerning Maratha reservation and caste certificates.
The latest indefinite fast comes amid continued disagreement over how historical records should be verified and who should have the authority to issue certificates.
For now, attention is focused on whether the Maharashtra government will send representatives to negotiate with Jarange and whether his latest protest will lead to a fresh round of talks between the government and the Maratha quota activist.
The government has yet to respond to all of Jarange’s latest allegations and demands in the material provided.
