Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil has refused to call off his indefinite hunger strike despite a meeting with a Maharashtra government delegation at Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district on Friday. The ministers urged him to end or withdraw the protest, but Jarange remained firm on his demands and gave the state government time until September 11 to act.

The development comes amid growing pressure on the Maharashtra government over the Maratha reservation issue, with protests and road blockades reported in parts of the state. Jarange has been demanding that eligible members of the Maratha community, particularly in the Marathwada region, receive Kunbi caste certificates that would allow them to access reservation benefits under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. 

Ministers Meet Jarange in Jalna

A government delegation comprising Maharashtra ministers Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Uday Samant, along with MLC Prasad Lad and MLA Makarand Patil, met Jarange at his protest site. The delegation sought to persuade him to end his indefinite fast and assured him that steps were being taken to address the issues raised by the Maratha community.

The meeting followed several days of heightened activity around the reservation issue, with the government under pressure to respond to Jarange’s demands while also addressing concerns within the OBC community.

Jarange Refuses to End Fast

Despite the government’s assurances, Jarange declined to withdraw his hunger strike. He has maintained that the protest will continue until the demands of the Maratha community are addressed.

Jarange subsequently set September 11 as a deadline for the government. If his demands are not met, he has warned of further mobilisation, including a possible march towards Mumbai. Reports have said the proposed Mumbai protest could begin on September 12. 

Focus on Kunbi Certificates

A key part of Jarange’s demand concerns the issuance of Kunbi certificates to eligible Marathas. Kunbi is included in the OBC category in Maharashtra, and the issue of certificates has therefore become central to the current agitation.

The government has said that around 58 lakh Kunbi records have been traced and that the process of issuing certificates will be accelerated. Officials are also expected to assist applicants and address difficulties in the certification process.

Jarange has urged eligible members of the Maratha community to begin submitting applications for Kunbi certificates from September 4, particularly on the basis of records identified through the Hyderabad Gazette. 

Protests Spread Across Maharashtra

The hunger strike has triggered demonstrations and disruptions in several parts of Maharashtra. Reports indicate that areas including Beed, Dharashiv and Parli have witnessed shutdowns or protest activity in support of the Maratha quota movement. Road blockades have also been reported. 

The situation has also heightened concerns among OBC groups, who have opposed moves that they believe could expand access to the existing OBC reservation pool. The issue has consequently become a sensitive social and political matter for the state government. 

Government Faces Balancing Act

The Maharashtra government now faces the challenge of addressing Jarange’s demands while maintaining the existing reservation framework and responding to concerns from OBC organisations.

The current dispute also has a legal dimension. The Supreme Court had struck down Maharashtra’s earlier Maratha reservation law in 2021, citing constitutional and reservation-limit issues. Any fresh move on the issue therefore carries significant legal and administrative implications. 

With Jarange refusing to end his fast and setting September 11 as the latest deadline, attention is now focused on the Maharashtra government’s next steps and whether negotiations can prevent the agitation from escalating further.