Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange has intensified his agitation by setting September 12 as a deadline for the Maharashtra government to act on his demands concerning Kunbi caste certificates for eligible members of the Maratha community.
Jarange began his 11th indefinite hunger strike on August 29 at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district. The protest has drawn support from members of the Maratha community, with thousands gathering at the protest site. Jarange has said that if the government fails to address the demands by September 12, the agitation could be taken to Mumbai.
The main demand is that eligible Marathas should be issued Kunbi caste certificates. Kunbis are recognised under the Other Backward Classes category, and access to a valid Kunbi certificate can provide eligible individuals with reservation benefits in education and government employment.
Jarange has argued that historical records should be used to identify Maratha families with Kunbi links. He has called for the immediate issuance of certificates to those who meet the required criteria and has also raised objections to aspects of the existing caste verification process.
The activist has also placed several other demands before the Maharashtra government. These include action relating to historical records, consideration of the Satara Gazette, withdrawal of cases filed against protesters during earlier Maratha quota agitations, and assistance for families affected by deaths during previous protests.
Jarange has said that the government must provide a concrete response rather than continue discussions without a clear decision. According to his latest position, September 12 will be a crucial date because a meeting of the Maratha community’s core committee will be held at Antarwali Sarati to determine the next phase of the agitation.
The Maharashtra government has responded that it is willing to discuss demands that are legally and constitutionally valid. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said government representatives were engaging with protesters and that the administration was looking for ways to address legitimate concerns without violating legal or Supreme Court requirements.
The government has also continued work on examining historical records relating to Maratha and Kunbi identities. The committee headed by retired Bombay High Court judge Sandeep Shinde has been examining Kunbi records and the genealogical links of members of the Maratha community. Its tenure was recently extended until June 30, 2027, with the government citing unfinished work in some districts.
The issue is sensitive because the demand for reservation intersects with the existing Other Backward Classes reservation framework. Some OBC leaders have expressed concern that extending benefits through broader recognition of Marathas as Kunbis could affect the interests of communities already covered by the OBC category. They have called for the government to follow the legal process while addressing the Maratha community’s concerns.
The latest agitation is therefore taking place against a wider background of repeated protests and negotiations over Maratha reservation in Maharashtra. Jarange has held several hunger strikes in the past and has emerged as a prominent voice in the movement.
The possibility of a march to Mumbai has increased the political significance of the latest protest. Mumbai has previously been the destination of large reservation-related demonstrations, and a major mobilisation there could put additional pressure on the state government.
Jarange has said that the proposed Mumbai agitation would not be necessary if the government meets the demands before September 12. However, if no agreement is reached, the core committee is expected to consider further protest measures, including a possible hunger strike or mobilisation in Mumbai.
The state government faces the challenge of balancing the Maratha community’s demands with constitutional requirements, court rulings and the concerns of existing OBC communities. Any decision on caste certificates and reservation benefits will therefore need to comply with the applicable legal framework.
For now, Jarange’s indefinite hunger strike continues at Antarwali Sarati, while the September 12 deadline has emerged as the next major point in the ongoing dispute. The outcome of discussions between the government and representatives of the Maratha community will determine whether the agitation remains at the current location or expands to Mumbai.
The developments are being closely watched across Maharashtra as the government seeks to prevent further escalation while protesters continue to press for action on their long-standing reservation demands.