Manoj Jarange Refuses To End Hunger Strike, Seeks Kunbi Certificates for Eligible Marathas
Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange on Friday refused to end his indefinite hunger strike—which entered its seventh day—demanding that the Maharashtra government issue a Government Resolution (GR) by September 12 to grant Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas.
Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange has refused to withdraw his indefinite hunger strike despite talks with the Maharashtra government, maintaining pressure on the state over his demand for Kunbi caste certificates for eligible members of the Maratha community. Jarange has given the government until September 11 to act and warned that supporters could move towards Mumbai if the demands are not addressed, India Today Reported.
Manoj Jarange Stays Firm on Demand
Jarange has been on hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district, demanding that Marathas with eligible historical records be recognised as Kunbis and issued caste certificates. Maratha Quota Protest: Manoj Jarange Patil Asked To Vacate Azad Maidan After Police Deny Permission Over Rule Violations.
Kunbis fall under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category and are therefore entitled to reservation benefits. Jarange has argued that Marathas who can establish Kunbi ancestry through historical records should receive the same benefits.
He has also urged eligible members of the community to begin applying for Kunbi certificates, particularly where supporting historical records are available. Maratha Quota Row: Maharashtra Ministers Meet Manoj Jarange, Urge Him to End Hunger Strike; Activist Stands Firm.
Talks With Government Fail to End Protest
A delegation of Maharashtra ministers met Jarange to discuss his demands, but the talks did not persuade him to end the hunger strike.
Jarange has maintained that the government has had sufficient time to act on the issue and wants concrete implementation rather than further assurances. He has now set September 11 as the deadline for action.
If there is no resolution, Jarange has warned that protesters could head towards Mumbai from September 12, raising concerns about possible disruption in the state capital.
Historical Records at Centre of Dispute
The demand is closely linked to historical records showing Maratha-Kunbi or Kunbi-Maratha identities. Jarange has been pressing the government to use such records to issue certificates to eligible applicants. Earlier government efforts have focused on examining historical documents and creating a mechanism for granting Kunbi certificates where the required evidence exists. Jarange, however, has criticised delays in implementation.
His latest agitation is therefore focused not simply on a new reservation quota but on access to the existing OBC reservation framework through Kunbi certification.
OBC Groups Raise Concerns
The demand has also triggered concern among sections of the existing OBC community, which fear that extending Kunbi status to a large number of Marathas could affect their share of reservation benefits.
This has placed the Maharashtra government in a difficult position, with pressure coming from both Maratha groups seeking wider access to OBC benefits and OBC organisations seeking protection of their existing reservation share.
Maratha Reservation Background
The Maratha reservation issue has been under legal and political consideration for years. The Supreme Court struck down Maharashtra's earlier Maratha reservation law in 2021, prompting renewed efforts to find a legally sustainable route to reservation benefits for the community.
Maharashtra subsequently introduced a separate 10% quota for Marathas under the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) category. Jarange has argued that this is insufficient and has continued to seek inclusion of eligible Marathas in the OBC framework.
Protest Could Intensify
With Jarange refusing to end his fast and the September 11 deadline approaching, attention is now on whether the Maharashtra government can reach an agreement with the protest leader. If the demands remain unresolved, the proposed mobilisation towards Mumbai from September 12 could intensify pressure on the state government and potentially affect traffic and public life in the city.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 05, 2026 12:25 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
