Jarange Calls For ‘Final Battle’ For Maratha Reservation

“The Maratha reservation agitation completes three years on August 29 and now a final, decisive battle must be waged. No one should stay at home! Those who have been subjected to injustice should participate in the agitation,” Jarange Patil said at his Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district.

The Maratha activist accused the government of failing to issue Kunbi certificates under Other Backward Classes (OBCs) to the 58 lakh people who possess valid records. “As many as 58 lakh Kunbi records have been found in the state. Why is the government not issuing certificates to these Marathas despite the Hyderabad Gazetteer being accepted? Certificates must be issued by August 28; otherwise, an indefinite agitation will begin on August 29,” he said.

Jarange Patil is demanding the implementation of the Hyderabad Gazette – which enlists Marathas as Kunbis in the Marathwada region – and distribution of certificates to enable them to get reservation benefits as OBCs.

If Jarange Patil holds a fast from August 29, it will be his tenth hunger strike regarding his demand for Maratha reservation. He had called off his ninth hunger strike within 15 hours of its launch at the end of May.

However, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated Kunabi certificates are being issued to those who have requested them. The State Government is positive towards the demands of the Maratha community, he said in Nagpur.

“Caste certificates are issued only upon request. Everyone who has applied for a caste certificate has received it. To the best of my knowledge, the number of pending cases regarding this is very low. There is no situation where someone is asking for a certificate but not receiving it. No other government has taken or implemented decisions for the Maratha community like the Mahayuti government has. Nevertheless, if anyone has a grievance, a way forward can be found,” the CM said.