1 week ago
Maharashtra Extends Maratha Kunbi Records Panel Ahead of Strike
The Maharashtra government is studying old records to see which Maratha families may have Kunbi ancestors.
Kunbis are included in the OBC group, which has reservation benefits in education and government jobs.
A committee was created to check these records and issue certificates to eligible people.
The government says the committee needs more time because its work is unfinished in some districts.
Its deadline has therefore been extended until June 30, 2027.
Activist Manoj Jarange wants all Marathas to receive OBC reservation benefits.
He plans to begin an indefinite hunger strike on August 29.
Government ministers met him and asked him not to protest, but he said he would continue unless his demands were addressed.
The Maharashtra government extended the Maratha quota panel’s tenure by one year to June 30, 2027.
The panel, headed by retired Bombay High Court Judge Sandeep Shinde, is tracing Kunbi records and genealogies.
Kunbi certificates could allow eligible Maratha community members to seek OBC reservations in jobs and education.
The government said 58 lakh historical Kunbi records have been found and about half of eligible applicants received certificates.
Activist Manoj Jarange plans an indefinite hunger strike from August 29 despite ministers’ appeal to withdraw the protest.
- Who
- The Maharashtra government, the Maratha quota panel, and activist Manoj Jarange are the main parties involved.
- What
- The government extended the panel’s tenure while Jarange renewed his demand for Maratha reservation under the OBC category.
- Where
- The panel operates across Maharashtra, while Jarange plans to strike at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district.
- When
- The extension was announced in a government resolution dated August 25; Jarange’s proposed hunger strike is scheduled to begin August 29.
- Why
- The government said more time was needed to trace Maratha-Kunbi genealogies and records in some districts.
Maharashtra Government
Manoj Jarange and Maratha Quota Activists
Eligibility for OBC benefits
Maharashtra Government
The government says Marathas who can produce old records identifying themselves or their ancestors as Kunbi-Maratha should receive Kunbi certificates.
Manoj Jarange and Maratha Quota Activists
Jarange is demanding reservation for the Maratha community under the OBC category and has pressed for broader access to Kunbi certificates.
Committee timeline
Maharashtra Government
The government says the panel needs another year because genealogy and record-tracing work remains incomplete in some districts.
Manoj Jarange and Maratha Quota Activists
Jarange has set a deadline for government action and plans to resume an indefinite hunger strike rather than wait for the extended process.
Government response
Maharashtra Government
Ministers met Jarange and appealed to him not to proceed with the agitation, while extending the panel’s mandate.
Manoj Jarange and Maratha Quota Activists
Jarange has remained firm on beginning the hunger strike on August 29 unless his demands are addressed.
Key facts
- Panel formed
- September 7, 2023
- New tenure deadline
- June 30, 2027
- Panel chair
- Retired Bombay High Court Judge Sandeep Shinde
- Records identified
- The government said 58 lakh historical Kunbi records had been found.
- Certificates issued
- The government said about half of those eligible had received Kunbi caste certificates.
- Planned protest
- Manoj Jarange announced an indefinite hunger strike from August 29.
- Government delegation
- Shambhuraj Desai, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, and Uday Samant met Jarange and urged him not to protest.
Sources
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