Three years, 11 hunger strikes, and two massive rallies – that sums up the journey of the protests led by Manoj Jarange Patil, a man who has repeatedly shaken the foundations of Maharashtra’s politics.
Patil, who has emerged as the face of the Maratha reservation movement in Maharashtra, kept the state government on edge with his agitations. The sheer force with which he has championed the cause of reservation has, almost every time, either altered the course of state politics or given it a massive jolt. It has re-kindled the push or reservation, and Jarange remains the central figure driving it. Having given up food, water, and medical treatment, he has placed the government under immense pressure as it scrambles to find a solution. Meanwhile, in a contrasting move, the police swiftly detained OBC leader Mangesh Sasane, who was also on a hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati in Jalna. This development has once again pitted the Maratha and OBC reservation issues against each other, highlighting a clear disparity: the administration appears hesitant to take action against Jarange, whereas other protests are handled using police force. The meetings focused on the community’s key demands, the legal and constitutional aspects of reservation, and the roadmap for the upcoming agitation. Key coordinators-including Rajendra Kondhare, Rajendra Kunjir, Anil Tadge, and Dhananjay Jadhav-participated in the discussions, outlining strategies to exert all-round pressure on the government. It ended on the 17th day following assurances from the Chief Minister. Jarange insists that all Marathas be recognised as Kunbi and granted OBC certificates based on Hyderabad, Bombay, and Satara gazettes. This is a massive, organized, and politically dominant vote bank capable of toppling governments.
The real hurdle lies in converting the ‘Sage-Soyre’ (blood relatives/extended kin) notification into a legally binding Government Resolution – a step the government is delaying due to strong opposition from the OBC community and legal complexities. Because the Maratha community comprises over 30 per cent of Maharashtra’s population, the government is compelled to yield to Jarange’s agitation. Patil has undertaken an indefinite hunger strike 11 times since September 2023. The 11th agitation – which started on August 29 demanding Maratha reservation, Kunbi certificates, and caste verification – is in progress at Jalna district’s Antarwali Sarati village. He has even warned that he would bring Mumbai to a standstill if a Government Resolution is not issued by September 11. First Agitation (August 29 – September 14, 2023): The first major hunger strike in Antarwali Sarati, Jalna, fuelled the Maratha agitation across the state.
