Maratha Reservation Activist Manoj Jarange Patil Ends Hunger Strike Claims Maharashtra Government Accept Demands

Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil, who initiated a hunger strike on January 19, announced the end of the protest after the Maharashtra government accepted his demands.

The primary demand was the immediate implementation of Maratha reservation, as Marathas make up 33% of Maharashtra’s population, facing agricultural challenges and seeking affirmative action. The agarian Marathas, often affected by drought, have historically sought reservation, particularly in the Marathwada region.

The agitation began in 1982, evolving from economic grounds to caste-based reservations after the Mandal Commission report in 1990. In 2004, Maratha-Kunbis and Kunbi-Marathas were included in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) list, but the identification as Marathas was excluded. In 2018, CM Devendra Fadnavis granted 16% reservation, later reduced to 13% in jobs and 12% in education by the Bombay High Court due to the 50% reservation ceiling violation.

The Supreme Court later struck down the 2018 law, challenging its validity. Ministerial statements on Friday indicated a resolution under Manoj Jarange Patil’s leadership, with a new ordinance providing solutions. Patil emphasized amending the free education policy to cover all Marathas until reservation benefits are universally available. He also sought data on the 37 lakh Kunbi certificates issued by the government and proposed government job recruitment with reserved seats for Marathas. The hunger strike concluded with Patil expressing satisfaction over the government’s response.