Manoj Jarange Rejects Ministers' Appeal, to Begin Hunger Strike on August 29
Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange on Monday refused to call off his proposed hunger strike scheduled from August 29 at Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district, following talks with a delegation of Maharashtra ministers.
Jarange reiterated his demand for Maratha reservation under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category and set an August 28 deadline for the state government to take concrete steps.
A ministerial delegation comprising Shambhuraj Desai, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, and Uday Samant visited Antarwali Sarati to persuade Jarange to drop the planned agitation. The meeting took place in the presence of members of the Maratha community and media representatives.
Jarange's primary demands include completing the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates and validity documents to eligible Maratha community members by August 28, along with the withdrawal of police cases lodged during earlier reservation protests. He noted that the community seeks reservation within the legal framework based on historical records dating back to 1967.
During discussions, Minister Uday Samant stated that nearly 58 lakh historical records have been scrutinised, with several relevant entries identified and others currently being uploaded. Jarange questioned the exact number of valid Kunbi records found and insisted that applicants receive documents before the deadline.
The government also arranged talks between Jarange and the Shinde Committee. Jarange alleged administrative hurdles and claimed some officials were cancelling certificate validities. He also voiced dissatisfaction with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, while the ministerial delegation denied allegations that top leadership was creating obstructions.
Following the meeting, Vikhe Patil stated that the government expects to resolve administrative bottlenecks within two to three days. He acknowledged past delays and warned that officials intentionally obstructing the process would face strict action, including suspension. Jarange, however, maintained that assurances alone are insufficient and confirmed the protest will proceed as planned.
