Maratha Agitation: Jarange Says Mumbai March Certain as His Fast Enters 13th Day

Jarange’s Hunger Strike Enters 13th Day

Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil’s indefinite hunger strike entered its 13th day on Thursday, September 10, as he continued to press the Maharashtra government over the community’s reservation demands.

Jarange has been leading the agitation from Antarwali-Sarati in Jalna district. Despite appeals and discussions with government representatives, he has remained firm that the protest will continue until his demands are addressed.

Mumbai March Remains on the Agenda

Jarange has made it clear that the proposed march towards Mumbai will go ahead. Earlier, he had announced September 12 as the date for the Mumbai march, with supporters being urged to gather in large numbers.

The proposed mobilisation has raised concerns within the state administration because a large-scale protest in Mumbai could create significant pressure on the government as well as logistical and law-and-order challenges.

Demand for Kunbi Certificates

A central part of Jarange’s demand is the extension of Kunbi caste certificates and related OBC benefits to eligible members of the Maratha community.

Jarange has argued that providing Kunbi certificates to eligible Marathas would enable them to access benefits available under the Other Backward Classes category, including reservation-related opportunities.

The issue has remained politically sensitive because the Maratha quota demand intersects with existing OBC reservation claims and has generated concerns among sections of the OBC community.

Government Attempts to Ease the Agitation

The Maharashtra government has announced several measures aimed at addressing concerns of Maratha and Kunbi youth.

These include steps relating to educational and training benefits and efforts to speed up the process of issuing caste certificates to eligible beneficiaries. However, these measures have so far failed to persuade Jarange to withdraw his hunger strike.

Talks With Government Representatives

A delegation of Maharashtra ministers has held discussions with Jarange over his demands. However, the talks have not resulted in an agreement that would bring the hunger strike to an end.

Jarange had also given the government a deadline to act on his demands, but continued the agitation after the discussions failed to produce a resolution acceptable to him.

Political Pressure on the Fadnavis Government

The prolonged agitation has increased political pressure on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Mahayuti government.

Jarange has repeatedly criticised the chief minister, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and other ministers over their handling of the Maratha reservation issue. The government, meanwhile, has maintained that decisions on reservation must remain within the constitutional and legal framework.

Jarange Rejects Distraction Amid Protest

Amid the continuing agitation, Jarange also responded to a dinner invitation from Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Jarange acknowledged the gesture but said he would accept the invitation later, maintaining that he remained focused on the ongoing protest. He described the agitation as a serious struggle for his community and said he did not want to be distracted from it.

Concerns Over Jarange’s Health

The prolonged fast has also raised concerns over Jarange’s health. During the agitation, he had intensified the protest by refusing water and medical support, according to reports.

The deterioration of his health has increased concern among supporters and added urgency to efforts to find a political solution to the dispute.

What Happens Next?

The immediate focus is likely to remain on whether the Maharashtra government can reach an understanding with Jarange before the proposed Mumbai mobilisation.

If the march proceeds as announced, the administration will have to manage security, traffic and public-order arrangements while also dealing with the political implications of a large Maratha mobilisation.

For now, Jarange has shown no indication of withdrawing his protest, keeping the Maratha reservation issue at the centre of Maharashtra’s political debate.

Conclusion

Manoj Jarange-Patil’s hunger strike entering its 13th day has intensified the Maratha reservation agitation in Maharashtra. With Jarange insisting that the Mumbai march will take place and the government yet to reach an agreement with him, pressure is mounting on the Fadnavis administration to find a solution. The coming days could prove crucial for both the ongoing protest and the wider debate over Maratha and OBC reservation in the state.