Maratha Quota Activist Manoj Jarange Launches Fresh Hunger Strike in Antarwali Sarati, Vows Not to End Agitation Until Demands Are Met
Jalna, 30th May 2026: Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Saturday started his indefinite hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district, alleging that the Maharashtra government had failed to fulfil assurances given during the recent Maratha agitation at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan.
Jarange had earlier announced that he would launch an indefinite fast if the government did not act on the promises made to the Maratha community. Ahead of the agitation, a state government delegation, including Cabinet Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and MLA Prasad Lad, met him on Friday and held discussions on various demands. However, the talks failed to yield a breakthrough, prompting Jarange to go ahead with his planned protest.
Among his key demands is the issuance of Kunbi certificates to all members of the Maratha community in the Marathwada region, which would enable them to avail benefits under the OBC category. He has also sought a government resolution on the lines of the 1994 policy covering the erstwhile Satara, Kolhapur, Aundh, Pune and Miraj princely states. Other demands include the withdrawal of all criminal cases registered against Maratha reservation protesters across Maharashtra, government jobs in Mahavitaran and MIDC for family members of those who sacrificed their lives during the Maratha reservation movement, restoration of all schemes under SARTHI, immediate disbursal of pending refunds from corporations, and granting validity certificates to those who have already received Kunbi certificates.
Jarange has also demanded the dissolution of the Maratha sub-committee constituted by the state government, claiming it has failed to perform its role, the creation of separate ministries for the Kunbi and Maratha communities, and an extension of the tenure of the Shinde Committee to continue verification of historical records related to Kunbi documentation.
Supporters of the Maratha reservation movement are expected to stage demonstrations at various locations across the state in solidarity with Jarange’s agitation.
Before commencing the fast, Jarange said his struggle was “honest” and would continue irrespective of which government was in power. He demanded that Kunbi certificates be issued to all 5.8 million record holders and urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take a just stand on the issue.
Recalling the police action during previous protests, Jarange said the community had once witnessed its mothers and sisters “lying in pools of blood” at the same location and warned the government against any repeat of such incidents. He asserted that the agitation would continue until the demands of the Maratha community were addressed.
