Manoj Jarange refuses to end hunger strike, urges Marathas to seek Kunbi certificates

Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange on Thursday refused to withdraw his indefinite hunger strike and urged members of the community to begin applying for Kunbi caste certificates after talks with a delegation of Maharashtra ministers and legislators failed to resolve the issue.

Jarange has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati village in the district for the past six days, demanding reservation for the Maratha community.

A government delegation comprising Ministers Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Uday Samant, MLC Prasad Lad and MLA Makarand Patil met Jarange to discuss the demands.

Vikhe Patil appealed to Jarange to end or postpone his fast in view of his deteriorating health. He said the government remained committed to resolving the issues raised by the Maratha community.

The minister said the government had traced around 58 lakh Kunbi records and would speed up the process of issuing Kunbi certificates. Nodal officers would also be appointed to monitor the process and resolve difficulties faced by applicants, he said.

Jarange, however, refused to end his protest. After the meeting, he appealed to Marathas to start submitting applications for Kunbi certificates from September 4, particularly on the basis of records traced through the Hyderabad Gazette.

Kunbi, an agrarian community, is included in the Other Backward Class (OBC) category. Jarange has been demanding Kunbi certificates for eligible Marathas so that they can avail themselves of reservation under the OBC quota.

He said around 58 lakh Kunbi records had been identified and urged eligible families to begin the process of obtaining Kunbi and validity certificates.

Jarange said applications could be submitted on the basis of family relationships, blood relations and clan links with people whose Kunbi records had been identified.

He also appealed to those facing difficulties in submitting their applications to immediately approach the concerned district collector.

Despite the assurances given by the government, Jarange said he would not withdraw his hunger strike until all the demands of the Maratha community were accepted.

"I will not withdraw my hunger strike until all the demands of the Maratha community are accepted. If Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde genuinely wants to support the Maratha community, he should take a sincere and concrete stand and extend his support," Jarange said.

"I will drink and take IV fluids, but I will not break my fast," he added.  (with inputs from PTI)