BJP Leader Meets Jarange-Patil, Urges Call-Off of May 30 Fast Over Maratha OBC Certificates

Tensions surrounding the Maratha reservation issue escalated sharply in Maharashtra after Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil publicly confronted BJP MLC Prasad Lad during a meeting in Antarvali-Sarati village in Jalna district. The meeting took place as Lad attempted to persuade Jarange-Patil to withdraw his proposed indefinite hunger strike scheduled to begin on May 30. However, the activist remained firm on his demands and questioned the state government's repeated delays in implementing promises made to the Maratha community.

During the public gathering, Jarange-Patil directly challenged Lad over the government’s handling of records linked to Kunbi certification for Marathas in the Marathwada region. “What happened to the 58 lakh records? Why were certificates not issued despite the records being found?” he asked, expressing frustration over what he described as the administration’s inaction. The remarks drew loud reactions from supporters gathered at the venue, highlighting growing anger among sections of the Maratha community.

The activist has intensified his agitation in recent weeks by demanding that eligible Marathas be issued Kunbi certificates, which would allow them to avail reservation benefits under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. Jarange-Patil has repeatedly argued that historical records prove that many Marathas in Marathwada qualify for Kunbi status and accused the state government of deliberately delaying the process despite earlier assurances.

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Jarange-Patil has now set May 29 as the final deadline for the Maharashtra government to distribute the certificates. He warned that if no concrete action is taken before then, he will proceed with his fast unto death from May 30. The activist also accused the ruling Mahayuti alliance of betraying the Maratha community, claiming that promises made during the large Mumbai protest nearly eight months ago have still not been fulfilled.

The Maratha reservation issue has remained one of the most politically sensitive matters in Maharashtra over the past few years. Several protests led by Jarange-Patil have drawn massive public participation and placed significant pressure on the government. The demand for inclusion within the OBC framework has also sparked opposition from some OBC groups, who fear that expanding the category could impact existing reservation benefits.

With the deadline approaching, political leaders across parties are closely monitoring the situation amid concerns that another large-scale agitation could erupt in the state. The government now faces the challenge of balancing legal, administrative, and political pressures while attempting to avoid further unrest. Jarange-Patil, meanwhile, has made it clear that he is unwilling to soften his stand unless the promises made to the Maratha community are implemented on the ground.

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