GG News Bureau
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, 17th Sept. Maratha activist Manoj Jarange has launched his sixth indefinite fast since September of last year, demanding reservation for his community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. The protest began at midnight on Tuesday in his native Antarwali Sarati village, situated approximately 75 kilometers from Jalna district headquarters.
Before initiating his fast, Jarange accused the Maharashtra government of deliberately withholding reservation benefits from the Maratha community. He criticized the administration, particularly Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, for not addressing their demands, and expressed frustration that the community’s pleas for recognition and benefits were being ignored.
Jarange’s primary demand is the implementation of a draft notification that recognizes Kunbis as ‘sage soyare’ (blood relatives) of Maratha community members, which he believes should justify granting Marathas reservation under the OBC category. Additionally, he has called for the withdrawal of legal cases filed against members of the Maratha community during previous agitations.
“The Maratha community is crucial to me, but the government continues to delay giving reservation benefits,” Jarange stated. “We are giving Deputy CM Fadnavis one more chance to meet our demands. If the government fails to act, it will be clear that they are deliberately obstructing our rights.”
Jarange emphasized that the community does not seek political involvement but rather a correction in the legislative framework. He urged for an ordinance to be passed that aligns with the 2004 ordinance, recognizes Marathas and Kunbis as the same, and ensures immediate implementation of the ‘sage soyare’ notification. He also demanded that certificates be issued based on the current gazettes and that offenses against community members be withdrawn.
Jarange further expressed his concerns over students being excluded from educational opportunities due to category misclassification, urging that all options—Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), OBC, and Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC)—be made available for Maratha community candidates.
In February 2024, the Maharashtra legislature passed a bill providing 10 percent reservation for Marathas in education and government jobs under a separate category. However, Jarange remains steadfast in his demand for OBC reservation, continuing to challenge the government’s approach to addressing the community’s needs.
As Jarange begins his sixth indefinite fast, he has warned that any consequences resulting from the government’s inaction should not be attributed to him. He has urged supporters of Fadnavis to engage with him directly and emphasized that the Maratha community is closely monitoring the situation.
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