Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Latur Bandh Backs Jarange Protest, Disrupts Traffic
Members of the Maratha community held a shutdown in Latur district to support Manoj Jarange’s protest.
Jarange is on an indefinite hunger strike seeking reservation for Marathas and Kunbi certificates for eligible people.
Many schools, colleges and shops in Latur city stayed closed.
The city’s shutdown was mostly peaceful.
In Ausa, some protesters climbed a water tank and blocked a road for a short time.
Police helped end the water-tank protest.
Nilanga also saw closed shops and road blockades.
A supporter who travelled to the main protest site in Jalna died, and doctors suspect a heart attack, but the exact cause will be known after a post-mortem examination.
Maratha community members observed a strong-response bandh across Latur district on Thursday in support of Manoj Jarange’s hunger strike.
Latur city remained largely peaceful, with schools, colleges, shops and several commercial establishments closed.
In Ausa, protesters climbed a water tank, held slogans and later ended the demonstration after police intervention.
Ausa and Nilanga also saw road blockades, while traders closed markets and other establishments in support of the agitation.
Dashrath Raikar, who had travelled from Beed district to support the protest in Jalna, died after a suspected heart attack; an autopsy is pending.
- Who
- The Maratha community, supporters of activist Manoj Jarange, local traders and Dashrath Raikar were involved in or affected by the events.
- What
- A district-wide bandh and road protests were held in support of Jarange’s hunger strike and demands for Maratha reservation and Kunbi certificates.
- When
- The bandh and related protests took place on Thursday; Jarange began his latest indefinite hunger strike on August 29.
- Where
- The events occurred in Latur district, especially Latur city, Ausa and Nilanga, while Raikar was taken to a hospital in Ambad after becoming unresponsive near Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district.
- Why
- Protesters sought government action on Maratha reservation and the immediate issuance of Kunbi certificates based on gazette records.
Protesters’ position
Administrative and official account
Government response
Protesters’ position
Protesters said the government should immediately address their demands and warned that the agitation could intensify if it failed to respond.
Administrative and official account
Officials said the Ausa tehsildar was in Latur for a meeting when protesters sought to meet him; police intervened to end the water-tank demonstration.
Access to administration
Protesters’ position
Protesters alleged that the administration was avoiding their delegation and trying to suppress the community’s voice.
Administrative and official account
Tehsil office employees said the tehsildar was unavailable because he had gone to Latur, without confirming the protesters’ allegation.
Public disruption
Protesters’ position
Supporters and traders treated shop closures and road blockades as solidarity with Jarange’s hunger strike.
Administrative and official account
The road blockades temporarily disrupted traffic, while Latur city’s shutdown was described as largely peaceful.
- Main protest
- Manoj Jarange’s indefinite hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district
- Bandh location
- Latur district, including Latur city, Ausa and Nilanga
- Latur city response
- Schools, colleges, shops and several commercial establishments remained closed
- Ausa protest
- Community members stayed on a water tank for around two-and-a-half hours before climbing down at about 2 pm
- Traffic disruption
- Road blockades were held in Ausa and Nilanga, including on major highways
- Reported death
- Dashrath Raikar of Sangam in Beed district died after travelling to support the agitation
- Cause of death
- Doctors suspected a heart attack, with confirmation pending a post-mortem examination