Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Shinde, Jarange Clash Over Rally as Maratha Quota Talks Continue
Manoj Jarange is protesting for more reservation benefits for the Maratha community in Maharashtra.
He wants eligible Marathas to be recognised as Kunbis, who receive benefits under the Other Backward Class category.
Jarange was on an indefinite hunger strike in Antarwali Sarati.
He objected to a farmer rally held by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Parbhani.
Some volunteers were detained by police during the dispute.
Shinde said the government and Jarange both want farmers and poor people to receive justice.
However, the government says it must check whether Jarange’s demands are legally possible.
Shinde also listed earlier steps taken for the Maratha community.
Jarange said he could march to Mumbai if his demands are not accepted by September 12.
Eknath Shinde said the Mahayuti government and Manoj Jarange share the goal of supporting farmers and securing justice for the Maratha community.
Shinde made the remarks at an agriculturists’ rally in Parbhani that Jarange opposed as a political event.
Jarange, fasting in Antarwali Sarati, demanded that all Marathas be recognised as Kunbis eligible for Other Backward Class reservation benefits.
Jarange warned of marching to Mumbai and intensifying his agitation if the government does not accept his demands by September 12.
Shinde cited earlier reservation measures, Kunbi certificate distribution, SARTHI funding and other initiatives for the Maratha community.
- Who
- Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange are the main figures; farmers, Maratha community members and the state government are also involved.
- What
- A dispute over a farmer rally has emerged alongside Jarange’s hunger strike and demand that all Marathas be recognised as Kunbis for reservation benefits.
- When
- Shinde spoke on Sunday, August 30; Jarange was on the second day of his indefinite hunger strike and set September 12 as a deadline for his demands.
- Where
- The rally was held in Parbhani city, while Jarange was fasting in Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district; he threatened to march to Mumbai.
- Why
- Jarange seeks broader Maratha access to Kunbi-related Other Backward Class reservation benefits, while Shinde says the government is pursuing justice without taking rights from another community.
Government position
Jarange’s position
Farmer rally
Government position
Shinde said the Parbhani rally was about farmers and the Maratha community and should not be viewed as a political challenge.
Jarange’s position
Jarange opposed the rally and demanded that it be cancelled as a political event; some volunteers were detained by police.
Reservation approach
Government position
Shinde said the government would pursue justice without taking one community’s rights away to benefit another and would examine the legal feasibility of further steps.
Jarange’s position
Jarange demanded that all Marathas be declared Kunbis so they can access reservation benefits under the Other Backward Class category.
Next steps
Government position
Shinde said the government would continue its commitment to the Maratha community and cited existing measures, including Kunbi certificates and a 10 percent quota.
Jarange’s position
Jarange warned that he would march to Mumbai and intensify the agitation if the government failed to accept his demands by September 12.
- Main government position
- Eknath Shinde said the Mahayuti government and Manoj Jarange are on the same page in supporting farmers and seeking justice for the Maratha community.
- Jarange’s demand
- Jarange wants all Marathas to be recognised as Kunbis, an agrarian community eligible for Other Backward Class reservation benefits.
- Protest location
- Jarange was holding an indefinite hunger strike in Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district.
- Disputed event
- Shinde addressed an agriculturists’ rally in Parbhani, which Jarange called a political event and opposed.
- Deadline
- Jarange warned that he would march to Mumbai and intensify the agitation if his demands were not accepted by September 12.
- Government measures cited
- Shinde referred to Kunbi certificate distribution, a 10 percent quota, Rs 300 crore allocated to SARTHI, and compensation and jobs for families affected by the reservation agitation.