04 September,2026 11:15 AM IST | Jalna | mid-day online correspondent
Manoj Jarange. File Pic
Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange on Thursday refused to call off his indefinite hunger strike and warned that he would take his protest to Mumbai if the Maharashtra government fails to fulfil his demands by September 11.
Jarange, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district for the past week, said he would continue his fast despite assurances from a government delegation that met him on Thursday.
He also appealed to members of the Maratha community to begin applying for Kunbi caste certificates, particularly where records supporting their eligibility have been identified.
A government delegation comprising Ministers Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Uday Samant, MLC Prasad Lad and MLA Makarand Patil met Jarange on Thursday in an effort to persuade him to end or postpone his hunger strike.
Vikhe Patil appealed to Jarange to reconsider his decision in view of his deteriorating health and said the state government was committed to resolving issues related to the Maratha community.
According to Vikhe Patil, the government has traced around 58 lakh Kunbi records and would speed up the process of issuing Kunbi caste certificates to eligible applicants.
He said nodal officers would be appointed to monitor the process and address difficulties faced by applicants.
However, the discussions did not result in Jarange ending his hunger strike.
Following the meeting, Jarange appealed to members of the Maratha community to begin submitting applications for Kunbi certificates from September 4.
He specifically referred to records traced through the Hyderabad Gazette and urged eligible families to initiate the process of obtaining Kunbi caste certificates and validity certificates.
Kunbi, an agrarian community, falls under the Other Backward Class category and is eligible for reservation in government jobs and educational institutions.
Jarange has been demanding Kunbi certificates for eligible members of the Maratha community, which would allow them to seek reservation benefits under the OBC category.
He said applications could be made based on family relationships, blood relations and clan links with individuals whose Kunbi records had been identified.
Jarange said around 58 lakh Kunbi records had been identified and urged eligible families to begin the application process without delay.
He also appealed to those facing difficulties in submitting their applications to immediately approach the district collector concerned.
The activist said the process of tracing records and issuing certificates should move forward, but maintained that the government's assurances were not enough for him to withdraw his protest.
Despite the meeting with the government delegation, Jarange said he would continue his hunger strike until all his demands were accepted.
"I will not withdraw my hunger strike until all the demands of the Maratha community are accepted. If Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde genuinely wants to support the Maratha community, he should take a sincere and concrete stand and extend his support," Jarange said.
"I will drink and take IV fluids, but I will not break my fast," he said.
Jarange's decision to accept water and intravenous fluids comes amid concerns over his health following several days of fasting. However, he has maintained that accepting medical support does not mean he is withdrawing his agitation.
Late on Thursday night, Jarange issued an ultimatum to the Maharashtra government, saying he would give it until September 11 to implement the demands of the Maratha community.
He warned that he would take the protest to Mumbai if the demands were not fulfilled within the deadline.
"This is my last hunger strike. My body will not support me anymore. If I protest again, I will die. I will give you time until September 11. However, if our demands are not implemented by September 11, I will go to Mumbai and protest on September 12," he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
