Maratha Activist Jarange Ends 20-Day Fast, Demands Three-Month Ultimatum on Reservation
· India · Hindustan Times, Times of India
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange called off his 20-day hunger strike in Beed district, Maharashtra, after talks with a government delegation including ministers Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Dada Bhuse. He warned the Maharashtra government that he would escalate his protest to Mumbai if his demands for official recognition of historical records like the Hyderabad Gazette are not addressed within three months. The activist, who had set out from Jalna district, had previously paralysed south Mumbai during a 2025 agitation. Government officials assured him that steps are underway for the Maratha quota, but Jarange insisted on written assurances from the Chief Minister and exclusive custody of administrative records to prove Kunbi lineage. His supporters, numbering over one lakh, were earlier instructed to return home, while he threatened to bring his family to Mumbai if the government reneges on promises.
Why it matters
The standoff directly impacts over one lakh Maratha families who rely on reservation benefits, potentially disrupting regional stability if protests escalate. The government’s response will determine whether historical administrative records are legally recognised, affecting OBC reservation claims across Maharashtra.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
Join us on Telegram
Breaking news the moment it lands. At 10,000 members we ship the Android app.