Mumbai: Activist Manoj Jarange called off his five-day hunger strike at Azad Maidan on Tuesday after the Maharashtra government committed to meeting major demands of the Maratha community, including issuing Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas. This decision paves the way for their inclusion in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, granting access to reservation benefits in education and public sector jobs.
The 43-year-old activist ended his fast by accepting fruit juice from senior BJP minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who leads the state’s cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservation. Emotional scenes unfolded as Jarange, visibly moved, shed tears amid cheers from thousands of supporters. He was later taken to a hospital for a medical evaluation.
Initially, Jarange had demanded the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and deputy chief ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar to break his fast. However, upon learning they were unavailable in Mumbai, he agreed to end the protest following Vikhe Patil’s appeal, marking the moment as a milestone for Maharashtra.
Also read: Mumbai Police Order Maratha Quota Leader to Clear Azad Maidan Protest
The government has promised to withdraw legal cases against Maratha quota protesters, provide compensation to families of those who died during the agitation, and offer jobs to their relatives. Additionally, a three-member village-level committee will review 58 lakh historical records from the Hyderabad Gazette to verify Kunbi status for Marathas in Marathwada.
Also read: Bombay High Court Orders Maratha Quota Protesters to Clear Mumbai Streets by Noon
While hailing the agreement as a victory, Jarange issued a stern warning to the BJP-led government. “If the Government Resolution is not honored, I will protest outside Vikhe Patil’s residence until my last breath,” he said.
Background of the Maratha Agitation
The Maratha reservation movement remains one of Maharashtra’s most enduring social campaigns. The Marathas, a prominent agrarian community, have long sought OBC status to secure quotas in education and government jobs. In 2018, the state granted them a separate quota, but the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional in 2021.
Since then, the community, especially in Marathwada, has pushed for recognition as Kunbis, an OBC sub-caste, citing historical evidence. Manoj Jarange has become the movement’s leading voice, spearheading several hunger strikes since 2023. His efforts have mobilized thousands and exerted significant pressure on the Maharashtra government.
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