Manoj Jarange Patil starts indefinite hunger strike for Maratha reservation

Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil. File | Photo credit: PTI

Manoj Jarange Patil on Saturday (August 29, 2026) launched an indefinite hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district, reviving the Maratha reservation agitation with a set of demands directed at the state government.

Addressing the media at the protest site, Jarange Patil said the government should not resort to delaying tactics. “The government should not delay action by saying ‘we will do it later’. Caste certificates and validity documents must be issued immediately based on the records of 58 lakh Kunbi,” Patil said. He added, “We will not give the government any more time. This is the last battle for reservation. Every person should come out of their homes and take part in this fight.”

Jarange Patil demanded that the process of issuing Kunbi certificates to the Maratha community in Marathwada be expedited, citing the Hyderabad Gazetteer. He also called for the implementation of Government Resolutions relating to Aundh-Pune, Bombay Government and Satara Gazetteers. “The government should not plan to reduce the 58 thousand records found by the Shinde committee or dispose of this record. Certificates must be issued expeditiously on the basis of all these records,” he said.

Warning against moving the agitation to Bombay

Jarange Patil warned that if Antarwali Sarati did not accept the demands, the protest would move to Mumbai. “If the issues are not resolved here, we will go to Mumbai. We will go to Varsha Bungalow or Azad Maidan,” he said. Appealing to the people of Mumbai, he stated, “The people of Mumbai should tolerate us. We are your people too.”

Demand for abolition of caste control committees

Jarange Patil has raised a fresh demand for the abolition of Caste Control Committees in Maharashtra. “Caste Control Committees do not exist in other states. Why was this mechanism maintained only in Maharashtra? I was given this information by Revenue Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil himself,” Patil claimed. He demanded that the process be simplified at the tehsildar level instead.

Call for withdrawal of cases and compensation

Patil reiterated demands for withdrawal of all police cases filed against Maratha agitators, government jobs and financial assistance to families of those who died in the reservation movement and immediate release of outstanding interest refund amounts from Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Economic Backwards Development Corporation. “Marathas should stop relying on the government. Our community itself is our real support. Now we are on the threshold of victory,” he opined.

Alert for local leaders

Mr Patil warned local elected representatives. “If any leader from your village does not come to the campaign, tell us his name. If all current and former leaders from local self-governing institutions do not come, we will settle accounts with them in the next elections,” he said. He added that he had received calls from BJP and Shiv Sena leaders, which would reveal who the opponents were.

Police report served

The Jalna district police issued a notice under Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to Patil on the first day of the hunger strike. Police have set conditions to ensure law and order is maintained during the protest.

Also Read : Jarange accuses Munde of plotting to kill him; NCP MLA denies allegations, seeks CBI probe

Comments on political leaders

During his speech, Mr. Patil made offhand remarks aimed at Sanjay Shirsat and Chandrashekhar Bavanakule. He also gave instructions to the protesters about behavior and prohibited actions during the agitation. He said he tried to bring Marathas from all sections into the movement. Patil said he would personally check cases where validity certificates were not issued.

Published – 30 Aug 2026 04:20 IST