JALNA — Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange refuses to call off hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati village after discussions with a high-level Maharashtra government delegation ended without a breakthrough. His fast reached its sixth day on Thursday as his medical condition continued to cause concern among supporters.
However, Jarange urged community members to begin submitting formal applications for Kunbi caste certificates immediately. He instructed families to leverage newly identified historical documentation, particularly records traced from the Hyderabad Gazette.
| Delegation Member | Official Position | Primary Role in Dialogue | Operational Outcome |
| Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil | Revenue Minister | Led government appeal to end fast | Promised expedited certificate issuance |
| Uday Samant | Industries Minister | State government negotiator | Submitted formal draft on action taken |
| Prasad Lad | Member of Legislative Council (MLC) | Liaison representative | Assured immediate removal of administrative delays |
| Makarand Patil | Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) | Regional representative | Participated in direct talks at Antarwali Sarati |
Government Guarantees 58 Lakh Identified Kunbi Records
During the talks, Revenue Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil appealed to Jarange to end or postpone his fast due to deteriorating health. He reaffirmed that the state government remains fully committed to resolving all issues concerning the Maratha community.
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Furthermore, officials confirmed that authorities have traced approximately 58 lakh Kunbi records statewide. The government plans to appoint specialized nodal officers across districts to supervise application processing and address administrative bottlenecks directly.
| Key Demand Parameter | Current Government Stand | Activist Directive to Community |
| Kunbi Record Tracing | 58 lakh records identified statewide | Submit applications starting September 4 |
| Verification Process | District Nodal Officers appointed | Rely on blood relations and clan links |
| Administrative Support | Collectors directed to streamline issuance | Approach District Collectors for rejections |
| Protest Conclusion | Appeals issued to end fast immediately | Indefinite strike continues until total compliance |
Community Directed to File Applications Based on Lineage
Although Manoj Jarange refuses to call off hunger strike until every demand receives full approval, he provided clear operational instructions to his followers. Kunbi, an agrarian group, falls under the Other Backward Class (OBC) category. Obtaining these certificates allows eligible Marathas to secure reservation benefits under the existing OBC quota.
Jarange explained that families can file applications using proven family relationships, blood relations, and clan links to recognized individuals. Additionally, he instructed anyone encountering bureaucratic resistance to approach their local District Collector immediately. Consequently, he emphasized that Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde must take a firm, concrete stand if the administration sincerely supports the Maratha community.