Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Jarange Launches Final Hunger Strike Over Maratha Quota
Manoj Jarange-Patil has started an indefinite hunger strike in Maharashtra.
He wants eligible Marathas to receive Kunbi certificates.
Kunbis can receive reservation benefits through the Other Backward Class category.
Jarange says officials are rejecting or delaying documents that should be accepted.
He wants the special caste verification committees removed.
He also wants police cases against protesters withdrawn and government help for affected families and students.
Jarange accused Maharashtra leaders Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde of not solving the community’s problems.
He said supporters could march to the Chief Minister’s Mumbai residence if the demands are not met.
Some officials and critics said verification committees are necessary and questioned Jarange’s claim about 58 lakh records.
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil began an indefinite hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati in Maharashtra’s Jalna district on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
He demanded immediate caste certificates for eligible Marathas based on 58 lakh identified Kunbi records and related OBC reservation benefits.
Jarange called for caste verification committees to be abolished, alleging officials arbitrarily reject matching historical documents.
His additional demands include withdrawing cases against protesters, issuing Government Resolutions on historical gazettes, and providing jobs, compensation, scholarships, and financial assistance.
Jarange threatened to march to Mumbai’s Varsha Bungalow, while Chhagan Bhujbal and Babanrao Taywade defended verification procedures and disputed his records claim.
- Who
- Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil, Maratha supporters, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and ministers and officials.
- What
- Jarange-Patil launched an indefinite hunger strike seeking Kunbi certificates, OBC reservation benefits, and other concessions for the Maratha community.
- When
- Saturday, August 29, 2026.
- Where
- The fast began at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district, Maharashtra; Jarange threatened a march to Varsha Bungalow in Mumbai.
- Why
- He is demanding immediate action on Kunbi records and Maratha reservation issues, changes to certificate verification, withdrawal of protest-related cases, and other community measures.
Jarange and Maratha supporters
Government critics and verification supporters
Kunbi certificates
Jarange and Maratha supporters
Jarange says eligible Marathas with historical Kunbi records should immediately receive caste certificates and the associated OBC reservation benefits.
Government critics and verification supporters
Babanrao Taywade disputes Jarange’s claim about 58 lakh records, saying most existed since the 1950s and that only slightly more than 49,000 new records were found in Marathwada.
Caste verification committees
Jarange and Maratha supporters
Jarange alleges that committees arbitrarily reject matching documentary evidence and says Tehsildars and Sub-Divisional Magistrates should issue certificates under a uniform system.
Government critics and verification supporters
Minister Chhagan Bhujbal says verification committees are necessary to prevent people from improperly entering castes that offer greater benefits. Advocate Gunaratna Sadavarte also called Jarange’s demand wrong.
Purpose of the fast
Jarange and Maratha supporters
Jarange says the agitation is needed to protect the future of Maratha youth and accuses Fadnavis and Shinde of failing to resolve the community’s demands.
Government critics and verification supporters
Sadavarte alleges that the fast is politically motivated because Fadnavis belongs to a non-Maratha community. The reports do not include a detailed response from Fadnavis or Shinde to Jarange’s accusations.
- Protester
- Manoj Jarange-Patil
- Protest location
- Antarwali Sarati village, Jalna district, Maharashtra
- Main demand
- Immediate issuance of caste certificates based on 58 lakh identified Kunbi records
- Reservation sought
- Recognition of eligible Marathas as Kunbis and access to Other Backward Class reservation benefits
- Other demands
- Abolition of caste verification committees, withdrawal of police cases, Government Resolutions on the Satara, Kolhapur, Aundh, and Bombay Gazettes, and assistance involving jobs, compensation, scholarships, loans, and appointments
- Government measure
- The tenure for verifying Kunbi records and family genealogies was extended by one year, with taluka-level committees instructed to clear pending cases by June 30, 2027
- Threatened escalation
- Jarange said supporters could march to Varsha Bungalow, the Chief Minister’s residence in Mumbai
- Records dispute
- Babanrao Taywade said the 58 lakh figure was misleading, stating that most records predated the agitation and that slightly more than 49,000 new Kunbi records were found in Marathwada
Sources
Maharashtra: Maratha Quota Activist Manoj Jarange Launches ‘Final’ Indefinite Hunger Strike, Demands Action On 58 Lakh Kunbi Records
Maharashtra activist Jarange raises new demand, sits on hunger strike again
Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil begins ‘decisive’ fast, targets Devendra Fadnavis
Jarange launches indefinite fast, accuses Fadnavis of ‘grudge’ against Marathas
Jarange's 'final agitation' for Maratha quota begins
