Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange. File | Photo credit: ANI
Quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil went on an “indefinite hunger strike” from May 30 to highlight the unfulfilled demands of the Maratha community and called for the distribution of Kunbi caste certificates to caste members on Saturday (May 16, 2026).
Mr Jarange Patil demanded the dissolution of the Maratha quota sub-committee as the panel had “done nothing for the community” and demanded a separate ministry for the Maratha and Kunbi communities.
The state government has completely stopped the process of issuing caste certificates to Kunbi Marathas, he alleged.
“Earlier we used to get caste certificates but now they have stopped the payment (of Kunbi caste certificates). Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has stopped the process. When we applied for the certificates according to Hyderabad Gazette, we got a few but now the officials are telling us that they have been instructed by the government not to issue them,” said Mr Jarange Patil.
The state government must implement Satara, Aundh and other gazettes; verify caste certificates already issued; and withdrew police cases registered against Maratha protesters during previous agitations, he said.
Mr. Jarange Patil demands that all Marathas be recognized as Kunbis and the agrarian caste be included in the Other Backward Class (OBC) category, which would enable them to get reservation in education and government jobs.
He invited experts to gather at Antarwali Sarati on May 28 to discuss the Maharashtra government’s recently announced policy of preventing reserved category candidates from getting open category seats.
”The government came up with a GR (Government Resolution) two days ago that OBCs cannot claim open category seats. Had this decision been taken earlier, the OBC category would not have eaten up our seats. The government has taken the decision now after they (OBCs) have taken our seats,” said Mr. Jarange Patil.
He alleged that financial assistance plans for the Maratha community were deliberately put on hold.
“The students of SARTHI (Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research, Training and Human Development Institute) are waiting for their scholarships. I heard there is around ₹ 1,600-1,800 crore pending from the government side to be given to SARTHI. We will not allow these welfare programs to stop,” said Mr. Jarange Patil.
Published – 16 May 2026 16:07 IST
