Maharashtra Govt Meets Jarange Amid Quota Stir

The Maharashtra government intensified efforts to defuse tensions with Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange, dispatching a ministerial delegation to meet him at Shivneri Fort in Pune district on Wednesday. The move comes as Jarange remains steadfast in his plan to launch an indefinite hunger strike at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan from August 29, demanding reservation for the Maratha community under the OBC category.

Jarange, who began his march from Antarwali Sarati in Jalna on Wednesday morning, confirmed receiving a call from cabinet sub-committee head Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, signaling the government’s willingness to negotiate. “The delegation is coming to Shivneri, but our Mumbai agitation stands firm,” Jarange told reporters, emphasizing his demand that all Marathas be recognized as Kunbis, an agrarian caste eligible for OBC reservations in education and government jobs.

The cabinet sub-committee, which met on Monday, granted a six-month extension to the Justice Sandeep Shinde committee, tasked with verifying Kunbi records for Marathas—a key demand of Jarange. Vikhe Patil noted that the committee’s first meeting addressed extending reservation benefits to Maratha relatives, showing responsiveness to the activist’s concerns.

Also Read: Jarange Marches to Mumbai, Vows Peaceful Protest During Ganeshotsav

Despite appeals from Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the BJP to postpone the protest due to Ganeshotsav, Jarange plans to proceed via Rajgurunagar, Chakan, Lonavala, Panvel, Vashi, and Chembur to reach Azad Maidan. He has called for widespread Maratha participation, urging doctors, teachers, and farmers to join.

Jarange’s campaign, ongoing for over 15 years, gained traction with hunger strikes in 2023 and 2024, including a nine-day fast that led to government assurances of Kunbi certificates. However, he alleges persistent delays, claiming the government’s recent inclusion of 29 castes in the OBC category provoked the community. The protest coincides with heightened political scrutiny, with the BJP accusing Jarange of targeting CM Devendra Fadnavis with “foul remarks.”

Also Read: Jarange Unyielding on Maratha Quota Protest in Mumbai