Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Maharashtra quota dispute intensifies as Bhujbal, Jarange Patil clash
Maharashtra is arguing about how reservation benefits should be shared.
Chhagan Bhujbal said the OBC community could lose out if Maratha demands are handled improperly.
He questioned caste certificates and alleged pressure on officials.
He also objected to unequal funding for Maratha and OBC organizations.
Manoj Jarange Patil, who is protesting for Maratha demands, strongly criticized Bhujbal.
Jarange Patil said Bhujbal was using OBC issues for politics.
The two leaders also disagreed about the size of the OBC population.
Jarange Patil said some government promises had been accepted but not yet put into practice.
He said he will continue his hunger strike until implementation happens.
Minister Chhagan Bhujbal warned the MahaYuti government against diluting OBC reservations.
Bhujbal questioned alleged document tampering and pressure on caste-scrutiny committees.
He protested funding of Rs 750 crore for a Maratha corporation versus Rs 5 crore for OBC committees.
Manoj Jarange Patil accused Bhujbal of using OBC concerns for political leverage.
Jarange Patil said he would continue fasting until accepted Kunbi-certificate demands are officially implemented.
- Who
- Maharashtra Minister Chhagan Bhujbal and Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil.
- What
- A dispute over OBC protections, Maratha quota demands, caste certificates, funding, and implementation of government commitments.
- When
- Friday, during the ongoing reservation dispute and Jarange Patil’s hunger strike.
- Where
- Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Jalna, and Jarange Patil’s protest site at Antarwali Sarati.
- Why
- Bhujbal says OBC interests and statutory caste-verification procedures are being sidelined, while Jarange Patil is demanding implementation of accepted Kunbi-certificate measures for eligible Marathas.
Bhujbal and OBC concerns
Jarange Patil and Maratha demands
Reservation safeguards
Bhujbal and OBC concerns
Bhujbal warned that OBC quotas must not be diluted and said statutory caste-verification procedures should not be overridden.
Jarange Patil and Maratha demands
Jarange Patil defended demands for Kunbi certificates for Marathas with historical records and said the Maratha community has received only a 10 percent quota.
Political motivations
Bhujbal and OBC concerns
Bhujbal presented his objections as protection of OBC interests and threatened street protests if those interests remain sidelined.
Jarange Patil and Maratha demands
Jarange Patil accused Bhujbal of exploiting the OBC community for political leverage and of opportunistically switching political alignments.
Government action
Bhujbal and OBC concerns
Bhujbal criticized ministers and legislators for appeasing the protest and questioned the authority of the Maratha Reservation Cabinet Sub-Committee to issue local directives and Government Resolutions.
Jarange Patil and Maratha demands
Jarange Patil said government delegates had accepted key demands but insisted that promises are insufficient without official implementation.
- Main dispute
- Whether Maratha quota measures could dilute or disadvantage existing OBC reservations.
- Bhujbal’s funding objection
- He cited Rs 750 crore for the Annasaheb Patil Economic Development Corporation versus Rs 5 crore for OBC welfare committees.
- Caste verification
- Bhujbal opposed pressure on Caste Scrutiny Committees and questioned alleged document tampering.
- Categories questioned
- Bhujbal asked how one candidate could claim OBC, SEBC, and EWS benefits simultaneously.
- Protest status
- Jarange Patil said he would not end his fast until official implementation occurs on the ground.
- Government response described
- Jarange Patil said state representatives had accepted demands including Kunbi certificates based on historical records.