Archive · 9 Sep 2026
Fadnavis Rules Out OBC Share for Maratha Quota
The Maratha community is asking for reservation in education and government jobs.
Activist Manoj Jarange Patil is protesting by refusing food.
His hunger strike entered its 11th day.
He wants eligible Marathas to receive Kunbi certificates, because Kunbis are included in the OBC category.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government will do what the Constitution allows.
He also said any plan must be able to survive court review.
Fadnavis promised that existing benefits for OBCs and other communities would not be taken away.
The government said it is still willing to discuss the demands.
BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar suggested changing the Constitution to create a longer-term solution for Maratha and Dhangar reservations.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Maratha reservation would be provided only within constitutional limits and subject to court decisions.
Fadnavis said the government would not reduce another community’s reservation share, including existing OBC benefits, to provide a quota for Marathas.
Activist Manoj Jarange Patil’s hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati entered its 11th day as he sought OBC status-related benefits for eligible Marathas.
Jarange is demanding implementation of Hyderabad and Satara Gazette records and Kunbi certificates for eligible Maratha community members.
BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar proposed a constitutional amendment in Parliament to provide reservations for Marathas and Dhangars without affecting existing quotas.
- Who
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, activist Manoj Jarange Patil and BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar are the main figures; other ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers were also involved in discussions.
- What
- The government reaffirmed that any Maratha reservation must comply with the Constitution and court decisions, while Jarange Patil continued his hunger strike.
- When
- The statements were made on Tuesday, when Jarange Patil’s hunger strike entered its 11th day; a government meeting was held late Monday night into early Tuesday.
- Where
- Fadnavis spoke in Uran, Maharashtra, while Jarange Patil was fasting at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district.
- Why
- The dispute concerns demands for Maratha reservation through OBC-related benefits, including Kunbi certificates, without reducing existing reservation shares for other communities.
Government’s Legal Approach
Protesters’ Demands
How reservation should be provided
Government’s Legal Approach
Fadnavis said any Maratha reservation must fit constitutional boundaries, follow court decisions and avoid reducing the shares of OBCs or other communities.
Protesters’ Demands
Jarange Patil is demanding Maratha reservation-related benefits under the OBC category, including Kunbi certificates for eligible community members.
Whether the protest should end
Government’s Legal Approach
The government says dialogue remains open and that any doubts or gaps in its decisions can be discussed and clarified.
Protesters’ Demands
Jarange Patil has continued his hunger strike and has not agreed to call it off until his demands are met, despite worsening health and receiving IV fluids.
Long-term solution
Government’s Legal Approach
The state government is pursuing a solution within the existing constitutional and legal framework, according to Fadnavis.
Protesters’ Demands
Mungantiwar argues that Parliament should pass a constitutional amendment to provide reservations for Marathas and Dhangars without affecting existing quotas.
- Chief Minister
- Devendra Fadnavis
- Protest leader
- Manoj Jarange Patil
- Hunger strike
- The fast entered its 11th day at Antarwali Sarati village.
- Government position
- Maratha reservation must remain within constitutional limits and comply with court decisions.
- OBC quota
- Fadnavis said the government would not take one community’s share to give it to another.
- Main demands
- Jarange is seeking implementation of Hyderabad and Satara Gazette records and Kunbi certificates for eligible Marathas.
- Proposed legislative option
- Sudhir Mungantiwar called for a constitutional amendment covering Maratha and Dhangar reservations.
