Who is Manoj Jarange-Patil? Quota activist goes on indefinite hunger strike, seeks reservation for Marathas

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange is making headlines again as his indefinite hunger strike has entered the 11th day. On Monday, Jarange called a large rally in Jalna, Maharashtra, for Saturday, where he warned of a nationwide shutdown if the protesters face police action.

Addressing reporters at the protest site in Antarwali village, Sarti alleged that state ministers were “colluding” to mislead the Maratha community and alleged that the authorities had made plans to prevent protesters from reaching Mumbai at several places, PTI reported.

Jarange said, “Do not go to Antarwali now, but on the 12th of September not a single Maratha should remain here.” He urged people from all major districts including Pune, Thane, Nashik and Mumbai to gather in full strength on Saturday.

He further urged supporters not to throng the protest site during his ongoing indefinite hunger strike and appealed to them not to react if they face harassment by the police on their way to Antarwali Sarti on Saturday. He warned, “We will not cause any trouble to the police even if they harass the protesters. But if the blood of even one protester is spilled, Maharashtra should shut down within 10 minutes.”

Jarange continues quickly, bangs Bhujbal

Last week, Jarange refused to end his indefinite hunger strike until his demands regarding the allotment of Kunbi caste certificates were met. The Maratha quota activist, who has undertaken several fasts seeking reservation for the community, criticized senior OBC leader and minister of state Chhagan Bhujbal, who opposed granting reservation to Marathas under the OBC quota. He said, “I thought age would bring wisdom, but even in old age there was no change in his attitude,” adding, “The Maratha community will also move away from Mahayuti….Is Chhagan Bhujbal the only person whose votes are behind Mahayuti?”

Who is Manoj Jarange?

Manoj Jarange-Patil, who hails from neighboring Beed district, moved to Shahgad in Jalna district after his marriage. According to a report in The Hindustan Times, around 17 years ago he joined a movement seeking reservation for the Maratha community in government jobs and education and took part in several marches and protests. Jarange-Patil also allegedly sold 2.5 acres of agricultural land out of his four acres to meet his daily needs.

He was initially associated with the Congress before founding the Shivba Sanghatana, an organization formed to organize protests seeking reservation for the Maratha community. Following the Supreme Court’s decision to scrap the Maratha quota in 2021, Jarange-Patil participated in protests at various places, including a three-month agitation at Sasht-Pimpalgaon in Jalna district that attracted hundreds of supporters.

What is Jarange-Patil demanding?

Jarange-Patil has been on a hunger strike for the last time since August 29, demanding reservation for the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. It also seeks to implement Hyderabad and Satara Gazette entries and issue Kunbi caste certificates to eligible members of the Maratha community.

According to a PTI report, the Kunbi community is traditionally associated with agriculture and is officially classified as an OBC, making its members eligible for reservation benefits in education and government jobs.