Jarange warns fresh agitation from May 30 over Maratha quota

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Saturday announced an indefinite hunger strike from May 30 over the community’s “unfulfilled” demands, and gave the Maharashtra Government a deadline of May 29 to distribute Kunbi caste certificates in Marathwada.

Speaking to reporters in Antarwali Sarati village, Jalna district, Jarange demanded the dissolution of the Maratha quota sub-committee, claiming the panel has done nothing for the community, while pressing for a separate ministry for the Maratha and Kunbi communities. State minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who heads the panel, said he was not keen on clinging to the post if his resignation could help resolve the reservation issue and satisfy the agitators.

Jarange claimed that the state Government has completely halted the process of issuing Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas. “Earlier, we used to get caste certificates, but now they have stopped disbursement. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has stopped the process. When we asked for certificates according to the Hyderabad gazette, we got a few, but now officials tell us they have been instructed by the Government not to issue them,” he alleged.

He further demanded that the State Government immediately implement the Satara, Aundh and other gazettes, validate already issued caste certificates, and drop police cases registered against Maratha protesters during previous agitations. “The Government has not implemented the Satara gazette even eight months after its announcement. We cannot give them more time,” he said, giving the Government a deadline of May 29 to distribute Kunbi certificates or face agitation from May 30.

Jarange has been demanding that all Marathas be recognised as Kunbis, an agrarian caste included in the OBC category, which will make them eligible for reservation in Government jobs and education.

He further urged community experts and scholars to gather at Antarwali Sarati, about 400 km from Mumbai, on May 28 to discuss the state Government’s recent policy that bars reserved category candidates from claiming open category seats.

The state cabinet, earlier this week, approved a policy that candidates from reserved categories who avail concessions in competitive examinations, such as age relaxation and educational qualification, will not be eligible to claim appointment against open category posts.

“The Government came out with a GR two days back that OBCs cannot claim seats from the open category. Had this decision been taken earlier, the OBC category would not have eaten into our seats. The Government has taken the decision now after they (OBCs) have taken our seats,” he said.

Jarange further claimed that financial assistance schemes for the Maratha community are being intentionally stalled.