Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Jarange Rejects Appeal, Keeps August 29 Maratha Reservation Strike
Manoj Jarange is protesting to seek reservation benefits for members of the Maratha community.
He wants eligible Marathas with records showing a Kunbi identity to receive certificates.
These certificates could allow them to use reservation under the Other Backward Classes category.
Jarange plans to begin a hunger strike on August 29.
He gave the government until August 28 to act on his demands.
Ministers met him and asked him to cancel the protest.
The ministers said they were working to solve delays and mistakes in the certificate process.
Jarange said he would continue unless the government produced concrete results.
Manoj Jarange refused to withdraw his planned August 29 hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district.
He demanded Maratha reservation through the existing Other Backward Classes framework for those with records establishing Kunbi identity.
Jarange gave the Maharashtra government until August 28 to issue eligible Kunbi certificates and validity documents.
He also sought the withdrawal of criminal cases against participants in earlier Maratha reservation protests.
Ministers said administrative hurdles were being addressed, but Jarange said assurances would not replace concrete action.
- Who
- Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange, Maharashtra ministers, and members of the Maratha community.
- What
- Jarange refused to withdraw his proposed August 29 hunger strike and demanded action on Maratha reservation-related certificates and cases.
- When
- The meeting took place on Monday; Jarange set August 28 as the government deadline and August 29 as the planned strike date.
- Where
- Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district, Maharashtra.
- Why
- Jarange is seeking reservation for eligible Marathas through the existing Other Backward Classes framework, based on records establishing Kunbi identity.
Jarange’s Position
Maharashtra Government’s Position
Whether the hunger strike should proceed
Jarange’s Position
Jarange said the August 29 agitation would continue unless the government turned its assurances into concrete action by August 28.
Maharashtra Government’s Position
The ministers urged Jarange to call off the agitation and said outstanding issues could be addressed within two to three days.
Issuing Kunbi certificates
Jarange’s Position
Jarange demanded that eligible applicants receive Kunbi certificates and validity documents before the deadline, and questioned the number of valid records identified.
Maharashtra Government’s Position
The government said nearly 58 lakh records had been scrutinised, relevant entries had been found, and remaining administrative hurdles and loopholes were being addressed.
Political obstruction claims
Jarange’s Position
Jarange alleged that some ministers were creating obstacles and said officials were cancelling certificate-validity documents in some cases.
Maharashtra Government’s Position
Government representatives denied that Maharashtra’s top leadership was obstructing certificate issuance and said officials deliberately blocking the process could face strict action, including suspension.
- Protest date
- August 29
- Government deadline
- August 28
- Protest location
- Antarwali Sarati, Jalna district
- Reservation demand
- Maratha reservation through the existing Other Backward Classes framework
- Certificate demand
- Kunbi caste certificates and validity documents for eligible applicants
- Records examined
- Minister Uday Samant said nearly 58 lakh records had been scrutinised
- Additional demand
- Withdrawal of criminal cases filed against participants in previous Maratha reservation protests