Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange, who is in the 11th day of his hunger strike, has called on the Maratha community to continue their agitation for reservation in government jobs and educational institutions through lawful means and refrain from resorting to violence. Jarange specifically urged against “pelting stones” during protests.
Jarange’s hunger strike seeks the removal of the genealogy clause for Kunbi caste certificates issued to Marathas from the Marathwada region, allowing them to avail reservation benefits under the OBC category. He stated, “We are fighting for Maratha reservation, and we will get it. The agitations that are taking place across the state should go on, and the agitators should work towards raising support for it.” While advocating for peaceful protests within the bounds of the law, Jarange emphasized, “There is no need to agitate by pelting stones. They should use the means of protest permitted by the law.”
The Maharashtra government recently issued a Government Resolution (GR) requiring Marathas from the Marathwada region to provide genealogical records from the Nizam-era in order to obtain Kunbi caste certificates. Kunbis, traditionally associated with agriculture, fall under the OBC category and receive reservation benefits in education and government jobs.
Jarange intends to continue his protest and has called for the revision of the GR by eliminating the genealogy requirement for Kunbi caste certificates issued to Marathas from Marathwada.
The Maratha quota issue gained renewed attention when police used force to disperse protesters at Antarwali Sarati village, where Jarange was conducting his hunger strike. The police action led to injuries among several individuals, including 40 police personnel, and the torching of over 15 state transport buses. Subsequently, protests erupted across the state, leading to a contentious exchange between the ruling government and the opposition.
While deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed regret over the police’s use of force, the cabinet later decided to issue Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas from the region who possess Nizam-era documents recognizing them as Kunbis.
