Manoj Jarange Patil Launches Hunger Strike for Maratha Reservation

Quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil launched an indefinite hunger strike on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Antarwali Sarati village in Maharashtra's Jalna district. This marks his 11th hunger strike, during which he demanded the recognition of eligible Marathas as Kunbis to secure Other Backward Class reservation benefits for education and government jobs. His specific demands include the issuance of Kunbi certificates based on 58 lakh historical records identified by the Shinde Committee, the abolition of state Caste Verification Committees, and the withdrawal of police cases against protesters.

Jarange Patil accused Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of holding a grudge against the Maratha community and alleged the state government is intentionally hindering the progress of Maratha youth. He threatened to march to the Chief Minister's residence, Varsha Bungalow in Mumbai, if the government fails to resolve the issues. In a show of solidarity, a rally of 1,000 autorickshaws from Dharashiv district began traveling toward the protest site.

Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil contested the activist's claims, stating the government has already issued over 1.42 million Kunbi certificates and that only a small fraction of applications have been rejected. While the government maintains that few applications remain pending, Jarange Patil rejected these figures and vowed to continue the agitation until the Mahayuti government meets all demands.