Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Jarange Refuses Water as Maratha Quota Hunger Strike Intensifies
Manoj Jarange is protesting to seek reservation benefits for the Maratha community.
His hunger strike began on August 29 and reached its eighth day on September 5.
He stopped accepting water and medical care at the protest site.
Earlier, he had accepted water and intravenous fluids after government representatives appealed to him.
Jarange says the government has not carried out several promises.
These promises include using records involving about 58 lakh people and starting work connected with the Hyderabad Gazette.
He also wants information about the reservation issue shared with villagers.
He says he will continue fasting until his demands are implemented and may lead a protest in Mumbai.
Manoj Jarange’s hunger strike for Maratha reservation entered its eighth day on September 5.
He refused water, intravenous fluids, medical examination and other treatment at Antarwali Sarati.
Jarange alleged that assurances involving around 58 lakh Maratha records had not been implemented.
He also said work on the Hyderabad Gazette process and village announcements had not begun.
Jarange set September 11 as a deadline and reiterated plans for a Mumbai agitation around September 12.
- Who
- Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil and the Maharashtra government, represented by a delegation of ministers and legislators.
- What
- Jarange intensified his indefinite hunger strike by refusing water, medical treatment and examination while demanding action on Maratha reservation.
- When
- The strike entered its eighth day on September 5, after beginning on August 29; Jarange cited September 11 as a deadline and September 12 for a possible Mumbai agitation.
- Where
- The protest is taking place at Antarwali Sarati in Maharashtra’s Jalna district.
- Why
- Jarange wants the government to implement assurances on Maratha reservation, including Kunbi certificates for eligible Marathas, action on records and the Hyderabad Gazette process.
Jarange’s position
Maharashtra government’s position
Implementation of assurances
Jarange’s position
Jarange alleges that work on the records, the Hyderabad Gazette process and village announcements has not started, and says he will not accept treatment until the demands are implemented on the ground.
Maharashtra government’s position
The government said it had traced around 58 lakh Kunbi records, would expedite issuing certificates and would communicate a decision within one or two days.
Continuation of the fast
Jarange’s position
Jarange says he will continue the hunger strike until all demands are fulfilled, describing the agitation as his last movement.
Maharashtra government’s position
Government representatives appealed to him to end the fast because of his deteriorating health and previously persuaded him to accept water and intravenous fluids.
Next stage of agitation
Jarange’s position
Jarange has cited September 11 as the deadline for implementation and reiterated his resolve to proceed with a Mumbai agitation around September 12 if demands are not addressed.
Maharashtra government’s position
The government’s reported position is that it is considering the demands and will communicate a decision, rather than that all demands have already been implemented.
- Strike start
- Jarange began the indefinite hunger strike on August 29.
- Strike status
- The protest entered its eighth day on September 5.
- Medical refusal
- Jarange refused water, intravenous fluids, medical examination and treatment.
- Records at issue
- Jarange referred to around 58 lakh Maratha records; the government said it had traced around 58 lakh Kunbi records.
- Reservation demand
- Jarange wants eligible Marathas to receive Kunbi certificates that would enable access to quota under the Other Backward Classes category.
- Other demands
- He said work on the Hyderabad Gazette process and public announcements in villages had not begun.
- Government response
- A government delegation said a decision on his demands would be communicated within one or two days and that Kunbi certificates would be expedited.
Sources
Jarange hardens stand; refuses water, medical treatment as hunger strike for quota enters 8th day
Maratha Reservation Protest Intensifies: Activist Manoj Jarange Patil Refuses Water & Medical Treatment On Day 8 Of Hunger Strike
