Maratha agitation: the farmer-turned-activist from Jalna district rose to prominence in 2023 when he led a massive protest for Maratha reservation.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said the government was working within the constitutional and legal framework to resolve the Maratha quota issue. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also indicated that the Maharashtra government is positive about Maratha quota demands and is working to find a solution to Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil ‘s hunger strike.
The latest agitation comes amid growing pressure on the state, with over protestors marching in Mumbai on Friday — far exceeding the permitted number. The CM’s statement came even as talks between Jarange-Patil and the Maharashtra government failed to yield a solution, following which the Maratha quota activist extended his hunger strike for a third consecutive day
Drawing good support from Marathas leaders and supporters, the agitation has put the BJP-led Mahayuti government in Maharashtra in a major fix
When Jarange-Patil reached Mumbai on Friday along with a huge convoy of vehicles carrying thousands of his supporters, there were massive traffic snarls in many parts of India’s financial capital amid the ongoing Ganpati festival
His demands include Marathas in Marathwada be declared as belonging to Kunbi caste and given reservation
According to reports., he also criticised Fadnavis for choosing retired High Court judge Sandeep Shinde, head of the committee set up for expediting the granting of reservation to Marathas, to hold talks with him at the Azad Maidan, where he is protesting.
Decoding Jarange-Patil
Manoj Jarange-Patil has emerged as the face of the renewed agitation for Maratha reservation in Maharashtra
On Saturday rejected the Justice Sandeep Shinde committee’s appeal for more time to address the issue.
He demanded an immediate government resolution declaring all Marathas in the Marathwada region as Kunbis — a move that would make them eligible for reservation under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
The farmer-turned-activist from Jalna district rose to prominence in 2023 when he led a massive protest for Maratha reservation.
Known for his non-political stance and grassroots mobilization, he has led multiple rallies and hunger strikes, pressing for caste certificates for Marathas based on historical records.
He is demanding the withdrawal of cases against protesters, compensation and jobs for families of those who died during past agitations, and full OBC recognition.
