Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Jarange Alleges Kunbi Certificate Cancellation Conspiracy; Maharashtra Government Rejects Claim
There is a big argument in Maharashtra, a state in India, about special papers called caste certificates.
These papers say which community a person belongs to, and they can help people get benefits like reservations in jobs and schools.
A man named Manoj Jarange is a leader who fights for the rights of the Maratha community.
He says the government is taking away these certificates on purpose to weaken the Maratha movement.
Four women who were elected to local councils in the Marathwada region had their certificates taken away.
The government says that is not true and that an independent group checked the papers fairly.
The government says the certificates were cancelled because the women did not have the right documents to prove their Kunbi background.
Mr. Jarange is angry and says Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is playing a "double game" with the Maratha community.
He warns that the Maratha community will show its anger in the 2029 Maharashtra Assembly elections.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis says people who disagree with a decision can appeal in court.
Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange alleged a political conspiracy behind the cancellation of Kunbi caste certificates, saying it aims to weaken the Maratha reservation movement.
The Maharashtra government denied the charge, stating that caste scrutiny committees function independently under Supreme Court guidelines.
Four elected women representatives from Marathwada had their caste validity certificates cancelled, including Jyoti Shinde, Varsha Gaikwad, Komal Parve, and Rekha Sarode.
Jarange warned of the Maratha community's "biggest revenge" in the 2029 Maharashtra Assembly elections and accused Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of playing a "double game."
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said rejection rates of 10-25 per cent are normal, while Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said decisions rest on documentary evidence and can be challenged in the Bombay High Court.
- Who
- Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and four elected women representatives from Marathwada.
- What
- Jarange alleged a political conspiracy behind the cancellation of Kunbi caste certificates issued to Marathas, a charge the Maharashtra government denied, saying scrutiny committees act independently.
- When
- Thursday, when Jarange held a press conference and the government responded to the allegations.
- Where
- Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district, Maharashtra; the cancellations involved districts across the Marathwada region.
- Why
- Jarange says the cancellations aim to weaken the Maratha reservation movement, while the government says decisions are based solely on documentary evidence.
Maratha Activist's View
Maharashtra Government's View
Reason for certificate cancellations
Maratha Activist's View
Kunbi certificates are being cancelled as part of a political conspiracy to weaken the Maratha reservation movement.
Maharashtra Government's View
Certificates are cancelled only because scrutiny committees, working under Supreme Court guidelines, find the documentary evidence inadequate.
Government involvement
Maratha Activist's View
Opponents of the movement have influence in the Chief Minister's Office, and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule directed officials to cancel certificates.
Maharashtra Government's View
Caste scrutiny committees are quasi-judicial bodies; neither ministers nor government officials have the authority to influence their decisions.
Impact and intent
Maratha Activist's View
The government first facilitated certificates and now targets elected representatives, with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde playing a "double game" with Marathas.
Maharashtra Government's View
Rejection rates of 10-25 per cent are normal across Kunbi and other OBC claims, and aggrieved applicants can appeal adverse decisions.
- Activist
- Manoj Jarange
- Chief Minister
- Devendra Fadnavis
- Revenue Minister
- Chandrashekhar Bawankule
- Press conference location
- Antarwali Sarati, Jalna district
- Affected representatives
- 4 women (Jyoti Shinde, Varsha Gaikwad, Komal Parve, Rekha Sarode)
- Government's stated rejection rate
- 10-25 per cent
- Jarange's warning
- "Biggest revenge" in 2029 Maharashtra Assembly elections
- Appeal route
- Bombay High Court