Marathas whose family links to historical Kunbi records have been established.
The Kunbi community is included in the Other Backward Classes category in Maharashtra. Marathas who are able to establish eligible Kunbi records seek certificates that can provide access to reservation benefits under the OBC category. The process of identifying old records and issuing certificates has therefore become a major issue in the ongoing Maratha reservation movement.
Ahead of the hunger strike, Jarange had given the Maharashtra government a deadline to address the pending demands. A delegation of Maharashtra ministers had also met him and appealed to him to reconsider the proposed agitation. However, Jarange remained firm on his decision to begin the indefinite fast.
During his latest statements, Jarange accused Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of holding a grudge against the Maratha community. He also alleged that Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was indirectly supporting the position of the government. These are allegations made by Jarange and have not been independently established.
Jarange has also raised concerns about the existing caste verification mechanism. He has demanded changes to the process and called for the elimination of the caste verification committee, arguing that the current system is delaying the issuance of certificates to eligible applicants.
One of the key issues raised by the activist is the implementation of records that have already been identified. Jarange has argued that Marathas whose family connections with historical Kunbi records have been established should receive the relevant certificates without unnecessary delays.
The Maharashtra government, however, has maintained that identifying historical records is only one part of the process. Officials have indicated that the verification and certification process involves additional legal and administrative procedures. This difference in approach has remained a major point of disagreement between the government and the protest movement.
Jarange has described the latest agitation as a decisive phase of the Maratha reservation movement. He has said that he will continue the hunger strike until the pending issues are addressed.
He has also warned that the agitation could be expanded to Mumbai if the government fails to resolve the demands. In his latest statements, Jarange indicated that members of the Maratha community could mobilise and move towards Mumbai as part of the next phase of the protest.
The warning has increased political attention around the issue, particularly because the Maratha reservation demand has remained a major social and political issue in Maharashtra for several years.
The latest protest follows earlier agitations led by Jarange. In previous rounds of protests, the Maharashtra government and Jarange's representatives held discussions over reservation, Kunbi certificates and related administrative procedures. Some protests were withdrawn after assurances and proposals from the government, but disagreements over implementation have continued.
In May 2026, Jarange had also ended an earlier hunger strike after government representatives presented proposals concerning Kunbi records and the certification process. The latest protest indicates that disagreements remain over the implementation of those assurances.
The current agitation is being closely watched by the Maharashtra government and security agencies. Authorities are expected to monitor developments around Antarwali Sarati and other locations where supporters could gather.
For the Maratha community, the reservation issue is closely linked to access to education and government employment opportunities. Supporters of the movement argue that eligible members should receive the benefits available through the OBC framework when their historical Kunbi records are established.
Critics and government officials have pointed to the legal and administrative complexities involved in expanding access to reservation benefits. The issue also involves questions relating to caste documentation, verification procedures and the existing reservation framework in Maharashtra.
Jarange's indefinite hunger strike has therefore brought the Maratha reservation issue back into the centre of Maharashtra's political debate. The immediate focus will be on whether the state government can reach an understanding with the protest leadership and prevent the agitation from expanding.
If negotiations fail, Jarange has indicated that the movement could move beyond Jalna and reach Mumbai. The coming days are expected to determine whether further talks can produce a settlement or whether the protest will escalate.
For now, Jarange remains on an indefinite hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati, demanding action on the pending Maratha reservation issues and changes to the caste certificate process. The Maharashtra government's response to the latest demands is likely to determine the next phase of the agitation.