Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Jarange Sets September 12 Deadline as Government Offers Talks
Manoj Jarange is fasting to ask for reservation-related benefits for eligible members of the Maratha community.
He wants eligible Marathas to receive Kunbi certificates, which can provide access to benefits available to Other Backward Class groups.
He gave the Maharashtra government until September 12 to respond.
If the demands are not accepted, he said supporters could protest in Mumbai.
He also wants some caste checks stopped and cases against earlier protesters withdrawn.
The government says it will discuss only demands that follow the Constitution and Supreme Court orders.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the government supports justice for Marathas and farmers.
A government committee checking Maratha-Kunbi records has been given more time to finish its work.
Manoj Jarange set September 12 as the deadline for Maharashtra to issue Kunbi OBC certificates to all eligible Marathas.
On the second day of his indefinite fast in Antarwali Sarati, Jarange threatened to lead protests and a possible hunger strike in Mumbai.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government would discuss demands that are legally viable, constitutionally valid, and consistent with Supreme Court orders.
Jarange also demanded Satara Gazette-based reservation, suspension of specified caste verification, withdrawal of protest-related cases, and compensation and jobs for families of those who died during earlier agitations.
The state extended the committee reviewing Maratha-Kunbi records until June 30, 2027, while officials defended a Parbhani farmers’ rally that Jarange criticized.
- Who
- Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and other state officials.
- What
- Jarange is holding an indefinite hunger strike and demanding Kunbi certificates and related reservation measures for eligible Marathas.
- When
- The reported developments occurred on August 30, the second day of Jarange’s fast; September 12 is his stated deadline and date for a core-committee meeting.
- Where
- The fast is taking place in Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district; the disputed farmers’ event was held in Parbhani, and Jarange threatened protests in Mumbai.
- Why
- Jarange seeks Kunbi recognition and OBC-linked benefits for eligible Marathas, along with measures addressing caste certificates and grievances from earlier agitations.
Jarange and Maratha quota supporters
Maharashtra government and officials
Kunbi recognition
Jarange and Maratha quota supporters
Jarange wants the government to recognize eligible Marathas as Kunbis and immediately issue certificates based on claimed historical records; he also said the government should declare all Marathas as Kunbi.
Maharashtra government and officials
Fadnavis said the government would consider only demands that are legally viable, constitutionally valid, and not contrary to Supreme Court orders.
Caste verification
Jarange and Maratha quota supporters
Jarange wants verification suspended for cases covered by historical records, while Sanjay Lakhe Patil criticized a reported suggestion that scrutiny committees were unnecessary.
Maharashtra government and officials
The state has extended the Sandeep Shinde committee’s review of Kunbi records until 2027, citing incomplete genealogy work in some districts.
Parbhani rally
Jarange and Maratha quota supporters
Jarange said the event involving Eknath Shinde and other representatives was unnecessary and intended to mock the Maratha community, and he alleged that genuine caste certificates had been cancelled.
Maharashtra government and officials
Fadnavis said government representatives were attending to discuss demonstrators’ demands. Shinde said the event supported farmers and denied that it was political muscle-flexing.
- Main demand
- Immediate Kunbi certificates for eligible Marathas based on 58 lakh claimed historical records.
- Deadline
- September 12, when Jarange’s core committee is also scheduled to decide on a possible Mumbai hunger strike.
- Additional demands
- Satara Gazette-based reservation, suspension of caste verification in covered cases, withdrawal of police cases, and jobs and compensation for affected families.
- Government position
- Devendra Fadnavis said demands must be legally viable, constitutionally valid, and consistent with Supreme Court orders.
- Record-review committee
- The committee headed by retired High Court Judge Sandeep Shinde was extended until June 30, 2027, because genealogy work remained incomplete in some districts.
- Parbhani event
- Jarange called the event an attempt to mock the Maratha community, while Eknath Shinde described it as a farmers’ rally and rejected claims of political muscle-flexing.
- Later timeline
- One report also described a separate Mumbai protest from August 29 to September 2, 2025, and said the government later accepted six of eight demands; those events occurred after the August 30 developments summarized here.
Sources
Maratha quota: On 2nd day of Jarange’s fast, govt hints at willingness to discuss legally valid demands
Fasting Maratha quota activist Jarange sets Sept 12 deadline over Mumbai protests, Fadnavis reacts
Fasting Maratha quota activist Jarange sets Sept 12 deadline over Mumbai protests, Fadnavis reacts