RESERVATION ROW: Manoj Jarange Begins Indefinite Fast, Revives Maratha Quota Pressure

The Maratha reservation movement has once again intensified in Maharashtra as prominent activist and community leader Manoj Jarange Patil launched an indefinite hunger strike, escalating pressure on the state government over long-pending demands related to reservation benefits. Staging his protest in the village of Antarwali Sarati, Jarange has accused the government of failing to implement assurances made during previous rounds of negotiations. The activist claims that commitments regarding the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to eligible members of the Maratha community have not been effectively enforced at the administrative level. The renewed agitation comes after talks between representatives of the Maratha movement and the state government reportedly failed to produce a breakthrough. Jarange has maintained that he will continue his fast until concrete measures are announced and implemented, even as temperatures remain high across the region. At the center of the dispute is the demand for wider recognition of Marathas as Kunbi, a community categorized under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) framework in Maharashtra. Supporters argue that such recognition would enable eligible Maratha families to access reservation benefits in education and government employment. In an effort to defuse tensions, state ministers and political representatives have continued outreach efforts. Senior leaders have reportedly met Jarange to present revised proposals and seek a resolution. However, the activist has expressed dissatisfaction, insisting that stronger administrative directives and implementation mechanisms are required before the protest can be called off. The latest hunger strike has emerged as a significant political and social challenge for the Maharashtra government, with thousands of supporters closely monitoring developments. As negotiations continue, the outcome of the protest is expected to have major implications for reservation politics and community relations in the state.