29 August,2026 01:14 PM IST | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | mid-day online correspondent
Manoj Jarange. File Pic
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange began an indefinite hunger strike on Saturday, accusing Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of holding a "grudge" against the Maratha community and alleging that Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was quietly supporting him.
Jarange started his latest protest at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district, reiterating his demand for changes to the process through which caste certificates are verified and issued.
Speaking to reporters before beginning the fast, he demanded the abolition of the caste verification committee and warned that protesters could march to the Chief Minister's official residence in Mumbai if the state government failed to resolve pending issues related to the Maratha quota.
Jarange said he was willing to hold talks with a government delegation but insisted that he would not end the fast until his demands were 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.
Jarange described the indefinite fast as his "final agitation" and said the government should take steps to resolve the issues raised by the Maratha community.
The Maharashtra government had not immediately responded to his latest allegations or demands.
Jarange has led several protests demanding that eligible members of the Maratha community be recognised as Kunbis, an agrarian community that is included in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category and receives reservation benefits in education and government employment.
The activist has argued that historical and documentary records should be used to establish eligibility for Kunbi certificates.
Since August-September 2023, Jarange has undertaken nine hunger strikes as part of his campaign for reservation benefits for eligible Marathas under the OBC category.
The issue has remained politically sensitive in Maharashtra, with questions surrounding documentation, eligibility and the process for granting caste certificates continuing to be at the centre of the debate.
The quota activist also alleged that the state government was creating obstacles to the social and professional advancement of young people from the Maratha community.
"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.
Jarange said the protest was aimed at securing opportunities for future generations of Maratha youth.
He urged members of the community to encourage their children to pursue education and government careers.
Jarange further accused authorities of rejecting claims despite what he described as valid documentary evidence and called for the abolition of the caste verification committee.
"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.
He argued that the authority to verify and issue caste certificates should be streamlined and questioned the need for a separate verification mechanism in Maharashtra.
Jarange said his latest hunger strike was centred on unresolved issues affecting Maratha reservation and the process through which eligible individuals can obtain Kunbi certificates.
The activist has maintained that the government must address the community's demands through changes to the existing administrative process.
His warning of a possible march to Varsha Bungalow, the Chief Minister's official residence, could put additional pressure on the state government if talks fail to produce a resolution.
For now, Jarange has said he will continue his indefinite fast at Antarwali Sarati and will not withdraw from the protest until the issues raised by him are resolved.
(With inputs from PTI)
