Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil started his ninth indefinite hunger strike in Mumbai, braving the scorching sun. Rejecting a government delegation, he is protesting without food, water, or shelter, accusing the MahaYuti government of neglecting the Maratha community. This marks a significant shift from his previous march to Mumbai in January 2024.
The current hunger strike focuses on bureaucratic hurdles and delays in implementing Maratha reservation benefits. Activists are using historical documents to prove Marathas’ eligibility for OBC status. The movement has transitioned from large-scale protests to a localized, high-risk solitary strike under extreme conditions.
Despite the intense summer heat, supporters are rallying around Jarange Patil at the hunger strike site. The current protest is confrontational, emphasizing the urgency of implementation over negotiations. Jarange Patil alleges the government is intentionally delaying the validation of historical Kunbi documents, while the state cites complex validation processes.
Jarange Patil’s demand to include Marathas under the Kunbi category for OBC benefits has sparked tensions with established OBC groups. The Maharashtra government faces pressure to balance the demands of both communities. The ongoing agitation highlights the deep-rooted economic distress in rural Maharashtra and the political complexities surrounding the Maratha quota issue.
