28 May,2026 02:23 PM IST | Jalna | mid-day online correspondent
Manoj Jarange. File Pic
Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange on Thursday warned that the Maharashtra government would be responsible if he suffers health complications during his planned indefinite hunger strike, which he said would begin under the open sky amid extreme summer heat from May 30, reported PTI.
Jarange, who has been spearheading the Maratha reservation movement in Maharashtra, said he had already given the state government enough time for discussions and implementation of the community's demands.
The activist has set a May 29 deadline for the government to distribute Kunbi caste certificates in the Marathwada region.
Addressing reporters at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district, the Maratha reservation activist said this phase of the agitation would be more intense than his previous protests, reported PTI.
"I have already given enough time for discussions. Now the time has come to take a tougher stand. If I die due to heatstroke, the chief minister and the government will be responsible," Jarange said.
He announced that he would sit on the indefinite fast directly under the scorching sun without any form of shelter.
"This time, I will not sit under a shelter. There will be no tent and no shade. I will give up water, food, and even footwear during the protest. Either the government will act, or I will perish," he said.
The protest site at Antarwali Sarati is located around 400 kilometres from Mumbai and has emerged as a symbolic centre of the Maratha reservation movement over the past year.
Jarange also appealed to members of the Maratha community not to travel to the protest venue during the hunger strike, reported PTI.
"Do not come here. I will sit alone in the blazing heat of May," he said.
Despite the appeal, authorities are expected to closely monitor the situation given the possibility of large gatherings and heightened tensions in the region.
The activist alleged that despite several rounds of discussions, peaceful rallies and demonstrations, the government had failed to take concrete action on reservation demands.
Jarange also criticised the state government over what he described as delays in issuing Kunbi caste certificates and providing jobs to families affected during earlier phases of the agitation, reported PTI.
He accused the administration of filing false cases against Maratha youths who participated in protests demanding reservation benefits.
A few days ago, BJP Member of Legislative Council Prasad Lad had met Jarange for discussions regarding the ongoing agitation. However, Jarange claimed no meaningful progress was made after the meeting.
"Maratha votes are needed during elections, but reservation is still denied," he said.
The activist also questioned the government's claim that it had already issued around three lakh Kunbi certificates.
"The government claims to have issued three lakh Kunbi certificates. Is that some favour?" Jarange asked.
Jarange further criticised arguments being made against reservation for the Maratha community, particularly claims regarding economic prosperity in parts of western Maharashtra.
"You say western Maharashtra has prosperous orchards and wealthy farmers. OBC communities also have orchards and prosperity. Is wealth or horticulture a criterion for reservation?" he asked.
Calling the upcoming protest a "decisive battle", Jarange said the agitation was aimed at securing educational and employment opportunities for Maratha youth, reported PTI.
"We explained everything peacefully, took out rallies, and still reservation has not been granted. The children of the Maratha community deserve to become officers and secure their future," he said.
Jarange has consistently demanded that all Marathas be recognised as Kunbis, an agrarian caste classified under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, which would make them eligible for reservation in education and government jobs.
(With inputs from PTI)
