Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange announced a significant victory on the fifth day of his indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan, Mumbai, after the Maharashtra government’s cabinet sub-committee, led by Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, accepted most of his demands.

The agreement includes issuing Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas and implementing the Hyderabad Gazette, prompting jubilant celebrations among supporters. Jarange stated he would end the protest and leave Mumbai by 9 PM if the government issues the promised Government Resolutions (GRs).

The sub-committee, comprising ministers Shivendrasinh Bhosale, Uday Samant, and Manikrao Kokate, met Jarange to discuss a draft addressing key demands, including the implementation of the Hyderabad Gazette for Kunbi caste certificates after proper inquiry and the Satara Gazette within a month.

The government also committed to withdrawing cases against Maratha protesters by September’s end and providing financial assistance and government jobs within a week to kin of deceased protesters, with Rs 15 crore already disbursed. However, the committee noted that scrutinizing 8 lakh objections to the ‘sage soyare’ (blood relatives) notification and legally equating Kunbis and Marathas will require additional time.

Jarange’s hunger strike, which began on August 29, pressed for a 10 per cent quota for the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category in government jobs and education. The government’s concessions mark a pivotal moment in the long-standing agitation, though the process of fully implementing the quota remains ongoing. The resolution has galvanized the Maratha community, with supporters hailing Jarange’s leadership and the government’s response as a step toward justice.

Also Read: Maratha Protesters Attack Passenger, Smash BEST Bus

Also Read: Maratha Quota Hunger Strike: Jarange Defies Govt Eviction