Maratha Quota: Maharastra Govt indicates willingness to discuss ‘legally valid’ demands

Manoj Jarange Patil. File | Photo credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

Walking the quota tightrope amid contrasting aspirations of Marathas and OBCs, the Maharashtra government on Sunday (August 30, 2026) signaled its willingness to discuss the “legally valid” demands of the Maratha community, even as fasting activist Manoj Jarange remained firm on the Kunbi caste certificate.

On the second day of his indefinite hunger strike launched from Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district, Mr. Jarange set a deadline of September 12 for the government to accept his demands and warned of demonstrations by members of the Maratha community in Mumbai.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Jarange had opposed a rally of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, also a Maratha, in Parbhani town, questioning the need for a “political event”. Police detained some people, the official said without elaborating.

Reacting cautiously, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government is open to discussing constitutionally valid and legally viable demands and not those that violate Supreme Court orders.

Addressing a farmers’ rally, Mr. Shinde said the Mahayuti government and Mr. Jarange were on the same page in supporting farmers, underlining the state’s commitment to do justice to the community.

He rejected accusations that the purpose of the rally was to flex political muscles.

Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Mr. Fadnavis said that government representatives were attending the Parbhani event to discuss the demands of the (Maratha) protesters.

“Earlier we also found a way to solve their problems and we are going to solve their demands. Similarly, Eknath Shinde is also very sensitive about these problems from the very beginning,” he said.

Jarange claimed that 58 thousand records of the Kunbi genealogical connection of the Marathas were found and that the government was trying to reduce this number.

His main demand is Kunbi recognition for members of the Maratha community, similar to the benefits enjoyed by OBC groups in education and government jobs.

Other demands include reservation under the Satara Gazette, withdrawal of all police cases registered against quota protesters across Maharashtra, and provision of government jobs and financial compensation to the families of those who died during previous agitations.

Published – 31 Aug 2026 07:42 IST