Mumbai, August 30 – The ongoing Maratha Reservation agitation has entered a crucial phase as activist Manoj Jarange Patil continued his hunger strike at Azad Maidan in Mumbai for the second consecutive day. The Mumbai Police on Saturday extended permission for his protest by another day after marathon discussions between Jarange and a government delegation failed to reach a breakthrough.
Jarange, the face of the Maratha Reservation movement, has demanded that Marathas from the Marathwada region be officially recognized as belonging to the Kunbi caste. This inclusion, he argues, would make them eligible for benefits under the 27% Other Backward Class (OBC) quota instead of being restricted to a separate 10%–20% reservation. “We want justice. The Maratha community should be given the same rights as other OBC groups,” Jarange asserted.
Despite repeated assurances from state leaders, Jarange’s talks with the government delegation concluded without a resolution. As a result, his hunger strike, which began earlier this week, has intensified pressure on both the Maharashtra government and the Centre.
Amid growing concerns, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held an urgent meeting with senior BJP leader Vinod Tawde to assess the situation. Shah also appealed to Jarange to end his fast, emphasizing that the government is committed to finding a lasting solution. However, Jarange remained firm on his demand for OBC inclusion, stating that temporary assurances are no longer acceptable.
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The Maratha Reservation issue has long been a politically sensitive subject in Maharashtra. While earlier state governments provided quotas for Marathas in education and jobs, legal challenges in the Supreme Court struck down the provisions, leaving the community’s demands unresolved. Activists like Jarange argue that inclusion in the OBC category is the only sustainable solution.
Support for the movement is growing, with thousands gathering at Azad Maidan in solidarity. Security has been tightened around the protest site, and police have urged demonstrators to maintain peace. Political parties across Maharashtra are closely monitoring developments, aware that the Maratha Reservation issue could have a significant impact on upcoming elections.
As the hunger strike continues, the deadlock underscores the urgency of a decisive government intervention. For Jarange and his supporters, the battle for Maratha Reservation within the OBC quota is not just a policy demand but a matter of identity and justice.
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