Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange begins indefinite hunger strike
Manoj Jarange-Patil is on an indefinite fast demanding OBC reservation for Marathas and Kunbi certificates, with a Jalna gathering planned.
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil has commenced an indefinite hunger strike, pressing the Maharashtra government to grant OBC reservation to the Maratha community. His core demands include the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas, a step he argues would enable them to access existing OBC quotas.
The activist has also announced a major public gathering in Jalna on 12 September to mobilise support for the cause. In a stern warning, Jarange-Patil has threatened to call for a statewide shutdown if police take action against protesters participating in the movement.
The development marks an escalation in the long-running campaign for Maratha reservation, which has seen multiple protests and legal battles over the years. The demand for Kunbi certificates stems from the historical classification of certain Maratha sub-groups as Kunbi, a community already listed under the OBC category.
Authorities are likely to monitor the situation closely as the hunger strike and planned rally could draw significant crowds and disrupt normal life in parts of the state.