Fadnavis Stands Firm as Maratha Reservation Standoff Escalates, Jarange Patil Continues Hunger Strike at Azad Maidan

Mumbai: The Maratha reservation issue in Maharashtra intensified on Saturday, August 30, as activist Manoj Jarange Patil persisted with his indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan, attracting thousands of supporters from across the state. Efforts by the government to mediate ended without any breakthrough.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reiterated that the state government remains committed to addressing the Maratha quota demand, but only within legal and constitutional limits. Fadnavis highlighted that the 10% reservation for Marathas under the SEBC category, introduced last year, continues to be in effect. He also noted that the BJP-led governments between 2014 and 2025 had taken significant steps to enhance education and employment opportunities for the community.

The situation escalated after Jarange met a delegation headed by former Justice Sandeep Shinde, who chairs the state-appointed committee studying the issue. Jarange rejected Shinde’s authority, insisting that only a government resolution (GR) could meet the demands. He accused the administration of disrespect, saying, “It is not Justice Shinde’s job to declare Marathas and Kunbis as the same. This is an insult to the government and Raj Bhavan.”

Justice Shinde responded that issuing caste status reports is the role of the Backwards Class Commission, not his committee, stressing that caste certificates apply to individuals, not entire communities.

Jarange reiterated his key demand: all Marathas in Marathwada must be classified as Kunbis, an agrarian caste already under the OBC category, which would make them eligible for quotas in jobs and education. He called for historical records, including the Hyderabad and Satara gazettes, to be legally recognized. “The time for study is over, now it is time for action,” Jarange said.

Despite overnight rain, poor sanitation, and shortages of food and water, thousands of supporters gathered at the protest site. Protesters alleged that the BMC, acting on government instructions, had deliberately withheld basic amenities like water and toilets to harass the community.

In response, State Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil confirmed that issues related to facilities had been discussed with the CM and were being addressed. The BMC later claimed improvements, including spreading gravel, cleaning the area, and setting up a medical help desk.

The committee led by Justice Shinde was initially formed in September 2023 by the Eknath Shinde government to examine archival records and propose a method for granting Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas. While its study now covers all of Maharashtra, protesters insist on immediate action rather than prolonged investigations.