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Manoj Jarange Patil’s Mumbai March Rekindles Maharashtra Maratha Quota Dispute
Manoj Jarange Patil is an activist leading a movement for reservation benefits for Marathas in Maharashtra.
Reservation gives certain communities special access to education and government jobs.
Marathas previously received a separate reservation, but the Supreme Court of India cancelled it in 2021.
Jarange now wants eligible Marathas with Kunbi ancestry to receive Kunbi certificates.
Kunbis are already included in the OBC category.
Jarange says this would allow eligible Marathas to use existing OBC reservation benefits.
He has started an indefinite hunger strike and plans to march to Mumbai.
Police denied permission for the planned protest because it would take place during the busy Ganeshotsav festival.
Jarange says the protest will be peaceful, while authorities are concerned about public order and the effect on existing OBC beneficiaries.
Manoj Jarange Patil, a prominent Maratha activist from Jalna district, has announced a march to Mumbai and an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan.
Jarange is demanding Kunbi certificates for eligible Marathas, OBC reservation benefits, implementation of historical-record decisions, withdrawal of protest cases, and aid or jobs for affected families.
The Supreme Court of India struck down Maharashtra’s 2018 Maratha reservation law in 2021, citing the 50 percent reservation ceiling.
Mumbai Police denied permission for the proposed September 19 protest, citing public-order and crowd-management concerns during Ganeshotsav.
Jarange says the agitation will remain peaceful, while the government and OBC organisations warn that expanding Kunbi certificates could affect existing OBC beneficiaries.
- Who
- Manoj Jarange Patil and supporters of the Maratha reservation movement; the Maharashtra government, Mumbai Police, and OBC organisations are also involved.
- What
- Jarange is fasting and planning a Mumbai march to demand Kunbi certificates and reservation benefits for eligible Marathas.
- Where
- The fast began at Antarwali Sarati in Maharashtra, with the proposed protest planned for Azad Maidan in Mumbai.
- When
- The latest indefinite fast began on August 29, and the proposed Mumbai protest was scheduled for September 19 during Ganeshotsav.
- Why
- Jarange says government action on Kunbi certificates, historical records, protest cases, and assistance for affected families has been inadequate.
Jarange and Maratha Supporters
Government and OBC Concerns
Kunbi certificates
Jarange and Maratha Supporters
Eligible Marathas should receive Kunbi certificates based on historical records, including records connected to the Hyderabad Nizam era and the Satara Gazette.
Government and OBC Concerns
The government says it has already identified records and issued certificates, but must ensure that any broader decision follows constitutional and legal requirements.
Mumbai protest
Jarange and Maratha Supporters
Jarange says the march and hunger strike will be peaceful and democratic and insists he will proceed to Mumbai despite the denial of permission.
Government and OBC Concerns
The Maharashtra government and Mumbai Police cite public-order, traffic, security, and crowd-management concerns because the protest coincides with Ganeshotsav.
Effect on OBC beneficiaries
Jarange and Maratha Supporters
Jarange argues that eligible Marathas should be able to access OBC benefits through the Kunbi route and that government implementation has been inadequate.
Government and OBC Concerns
OBC organisations are concerned that issuing Kunbi certificates to large numbers of Marathas could increase competition for benefits within the existing OBC quota.
Key facts
- Activist
- Manoj Jarange Patil, from Maharashtra’s Jalna district
- Current action
- Indefinite hunger strike and proposed march to Mumbai
- Main demand
- Kunbi certificates and OBC reservation benefits for eligible Marathas
- Earlier law
- Maharashtra introduced a 16 percent Maratha quota in 2018
- Legal setback
- The Supreme Court of India struck down the quota in 2021
- Protest location
- Jarange plans to fast at Azad Maidan in Mumbai
- Police position
- Mumbai Police denied permission for the proposed September 19 protest
- Key concern
- Authorities cite public order and crowd management during Ganeshotsav
Sources
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