Maratha Quota Activist Manoj Jarange Patil Continues Hunger Strike, Demanding Kunbi Status for Marathas
Mumbai – Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil’s indefinite hunger strike entered its fourth day on Monday, escalating pressure on the Maharashtra state government to address longstanding demands for reservation. Patil is demanding the immediate issuance of a Government Resolution (GR) recognizing all Marathas in the Marathwada region as Kunbis, a historically agrarian community eligible for Othre Backward Class (OBC) benefits.
The core of the dispute centers on the classification of Marathas and their access to OBC quotas. Patil also seeks kunbi certificates for Marathas listed under the Hyderabad and Satara gazettes, extending to those under the Aundh and Bombay gazettes. This demand aims to broaden eligibility for OBC reservations, a move with notable implications for educational and employment opportunities for the Maratha community. The state government is currently assessing the legal validity of extending kunbi status based on these past gazettes.
On Monday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath shinde, along with Deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis, convened a meeting at Varsha, the Chief Minister’s residence, to deliberate on the legal ramifications of Patil’s demands. Attendees included Advocate General Birendra Saraf and Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, the BJP minister leading the cabinet sub-committee tasked with evaluating the issue. The meeting focused on whether granting kunbi status to Marathas based on the Hyderabad and Satara gazettes would withstand legal challenges.
The ongoing protest reflects a renewed push for Maratha reservation, a politically sensitive issue in Maharashtra. The government’s response in the coming days will be crucial in determining the trajectory of the movement and its potential impact on the state’s socio-political landscape.