Today is the second day of the hunger strike of Maratha Reservation Movement, Manoj Jarang, the leader of the Maratha Reservation Movement. Jarange left Jalna for Mumbai on Wednesday. He started a fast on August 29 at Mumbai Azad Maidan. Jarange announced that they would not back down until the demands of the community are met.
Manoj warned that we are asking for our rights, this is our last battle. The government should not test the patience of the community. If there is a delay in taking a decision on the demand for reservation for the Maratha community in education and jobs, then they will stop drinking water in the next 2 days.
Jarange demands that all the Marathas be recognized as a kunbi under OBC for reservation in jobs and education. Hundreds of supporters who arrived in Mumbai on Friday took refuge at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Many protesters spent the night in their vehicles.
Government of Maharashtra extended the term of Maratha Reservation Committees
The Maharashtra government has extended the term of genealogical committees till 30 June 2026 amid Jarang’s movement. These committees have been set up at the taluka level to issue caste and caste validity certificates to the people of Kunbi caste Maratha community coming to the OBC category.
On 25 January 2024, the genealogical committees were formed and their tenure was earlier extended to 30 June 2025.
Traffic jams in South Mumbai due to supporters
Traffic in CSMT and surrounding areas in Mumbai came to a complete standstill on Saturday. The police struggled to persuade the protesters to vacate the way. The protesters took to the streets to demand basic facilities like toilets, water and shelter.
The Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force and Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed to maintain law and order. Mumbai Police has also deployed more than 2000 personnel.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis: We are positive to solve the issues of Marathas, even if they are of social and financial nature and not related to political reservation. The cabinet sub-committee is discussing the demands of Jaranga and will find a solution under the constitutional structure.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar: The government has formed a committee under the chairmanship of Radha Krishna Vikhe Patil and discussion is going on with him. I am confident that the conversation will definitely solve the solution. In Maharashtra, we believe that every community should get justice.
7th fast since 2023
On 29 August 2023, in his inter -inter -Sathi village of Jalna, an indefinite hunger strike took place for the first time demanding reservation for the Marathas. This has been his 7th protest since then.
Jarang has done several protest rallies and hunger strikes before the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections. On 20 February 2024, the Eknath Shinde government introduced a bill to give 10% reservation above the limit of 50% to the Marathas.
In January this year too, after the intervention of BJP MLA Suresh Dhas on behalf of the state government, Jarange ended his hunger strike on the sixth day.
However, earlier on 5 May 2021, the Supreme Court had canceled reservation for Maratha community in colleges, higher educational institutions and jobs when there was no valid basis for violating 50% reservation while giving Maratha reservation.
