Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Maharashtra Announces Maratha Benefits as Jarange Patil Continues Hunger Strike
The Maharashtra government announced several new measures for Maratha, Kunbi, and SEBC groups.
From the 2026–27 academic year, Maratha students will get educational benefits like OBC students.
The government also released Rs 200 crore for overdue hostel maintenance allowances.
A scholarship change will pay foreign universities directly and add a $1,500 yearly allowance.
A training program is planned for 1,440 Maratha and Kunbi young people.
It aims to help at least 1,000 participants find jobs or self-employment.
Officials are checking old records to verify Kunbi status and publishing them for people to see.
Manoj Jarange Patil is still fasting and asked supporters to meet in Jalna on September 12.
At that meeting, supporters will decide the date and plan for a possible Mumbai march.
The Government of Maharashtra issued four resolutions and directives covering education, finances, scholarships, and training for Maratha, Kunbi, and SEBC groups.
Beginning in the 2026–27 academic year, Maratha students will receive educational concessions and benefits equivalent to those available to OBC students.
The state released Rs 200 crore for pending hostel maintenance allowances for EBC, EWS, and SEBC students.
Updated SARTHI scholarship rules will directly pay foreign universities, remove benefit caps, and provide an annual $1,500 living allowance.
Manoj Jarange Patil, whose hunger strike entered its tenth day, called supporters to a September 12 meeting in Jalna to finalize plans for a possible Mumbai march.
- Who
- The Government of Maharashtra, Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil, and Maratha and Kunbi community members are central to the development.
- What
- The government announced four resolutions and related directives while Jarange Patil continued a hunger strike and planned a community meeting.
- When
- The fast entered its tenth day on Monday; the community meeting is scheduled for September 12, and several programs begin in the 2026–27 academic year.
- Where
- The fast and planned meeting are at Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district, Maharashtra; the proposed march would go to Mumbai.
- Why
- The government measures address education, financial assistance, scholarships, employment training, and Kunbi-record verification amid the Maratha quota agitation.
Government Measures
Movement Position
Response to the agitation
Government Measures
The Government of Maharashtra issued measures involving education, funding, scholarships, training, and Kunbi-record verification.
Movement Position
Manoj Jarange Patil continued his hunger strike and called for a strategic community meeting before deciding the next phase.
Next phase of action
Government Measures
Authorities are publishing verified village-specific Kunbi records and preparing administrative benefits and programs.
Movement Position
Jarange Patil urged supporters not to immediately travel to Mumbai and said the September 12 meeting would formalize the Mumbai march plan.
Responsibility for tensions
Government Measures
The government is the target of the movement’s demands and is issuing directives through multiple departments.
Movement Position
Jarange Patil blamed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for the tensions, while saying the police should not be blamed or targeted.
- Hunger strike
- Manoj Jarange Patil’s fast at Antarwali Sarati entered its tenth consecutive day on Monday.
- Education benefits
- Maratha students will receive educational concessions and benefits on par with OBC students from the 2026–27 academic year.
- Hostel funding
- Rs 200 crore was released for pending maintenance allowances for EBC, EWS, and SEBC students.
- Foreign scholarships
- SARTHI will pay tuition directly to foreign universities, remove upper benefit caps, and provide a $1,500 annual living or contingency allowance.
- Skills training
- SARTHI and IDTRS Pimpri-Chinchwad will train 1,440 Maratha and Kunbi youth in LMV, HMV, and conductor programs from October 1, 2026.
- Employment target
- The driving-training program requires employment or self-employment for at least 1,000 beneficiaries.
- September 12 meeting
- Jarange Patil asked supporters to gather at Antarwali Sarati to determine the date and plan for a possible Mumbai march.