Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, September 10: Activist Manoj Jarange on Tuesday announced the launch of an indefinite fast from September 16 midnight to press for the Maratha reservation demand. In February, the Maharashtra legislature passed a bill providing 10 per cent reservation for the Maratha community in education and government jobs, but Jarange has insisted on the inclusion of Marathas in the Other Backward Class (OBC) category.

The activist has been leading protests demanding OBC certificates for recognising all Kunbis (agriculturists) and their “sage soyre” (blood relatives) as Marathas. Kunbi, an agrarian group, falls under the OBC category, and Jarange has been demanding that Kunbi certificates be issued to all Marathas, thus making them eligible for quota benefits. Talking to reporters at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district, Jarange said, "September 17 is Mukti Sangram Din (Marathwada Liberation Day). On the same day, (we) will start an indefinite fast with the same demands (for reservation)...will sit on the indefinite fast from September 16 midnight." Beed Lok Sabha Election 2024: Maratha Agitation Cases, Dhangar Quota, Delayed Rail Line Key Issues in Maharashtra.

"September 17 is the liberation day (for Marathwada). When is the Maratha community going to be liberated?" he asked. The Marathwada area of Maharashtra was under the rule of the Nizam of Hyderabad at the time of India's Independence. Farmers and other people rose in revolt and defeated the Razakar militia of the Nizam and succeeded in merging Marathwada with India on September 17, 1948. Jarange also accused Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of turning some Maratha MLAs against the reservation cause. "Some Maratha leaders are speaking against the reservation at the behest of Fadnavis," Jarange alleged and blamed the deputy chief minister for causing divisions within the Maratha Kranti Morcha.

He warned that leaders opposing the Maratha reservation would face consequences in the upcoming state elections. Asked about a possible alliance with former MP Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, who is said to be supporting the idea of a third front, Jarange said it would be considered in a meeting. Sambhajiraje is reportedly in talks with Prahar Janshakti Party chief Bacchu Kadu and farmer leader Raju Shetti to explore the formation of a third front in the upcoming state assembly election. Maratha Quota: Post-Lok Sabha Elections, Manoj Jarange-Patil Starts Fresh Hunger Strike for Reservation.

Jarange on Monday spoke to state Minorities Development Minister Abdul Sattar over the phone regarding the demand for the Maratha quota and giving Kunbi certificates to all Marathas. He said the minister told him that he had informed Chief Minister Eknath Shinde about the issue.