A fresh indefinite hunger strike has been initiated by activist Manoj Jarange, marking his seventh protest in the past 16 months. The protest has been centered around the demand for the inclusion of the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation category. In addition to this, a call for capital punishment for those accused in the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh has been made by Jarange.
The implementation of a draft notification recognizing Kunbis as "sage soyare," or blood relatives of the Maratha community, has been demanded. Through this recognition, the Marathas are being sought to be included in the OBC category, granting them access to reservation benefits. Attention has also been drawn to the case of Santosh Deshmukh, a sarpanch from Massajog village in Beed district, who was reportedly abducted, tortured, and murdered on December 9, 2024. Seven individuals have been arrested by the authorities in connection with the crime.
Hope has been expressed by Jarange that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will address the long-pending demands of the Maratha community. It has been pointed out that the community’s significant support was extended to the Mahayuti alliance in the assembly elections, and a reminder has been issued for the government to fulfill its promises. The issuance of Kunbi certificates to individuals possessing the necessary records has also been urged by the activist. The hunger strike is being carried out in Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district, which has been the focal point of previous protests. The beginning of Jarange’s hunger strikes can be traced back to September 2023, following a police lathi charge on Maratha protesters at the same location. Since then, similar protests have been carried out by Jarange to push for the inclusion of Marathas under the OBC quota.
In February 2024, a law granting a 10% reservation for the Maratha community in education and government jobs under a separate category had been passed by the Maharashtra legislature. However, dissatisfaction has been expressed by Jarange regarding this measure. It has been maintained by him that the community’s inclusion within the OBC framework is essential to ensure a more comprehensive and permanent solution to their issues. The demand for capital punishment for those involved in the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh has added another layer of urgency to the ongoing protests. Deshmukh, who had served as the sarpanch of Massajog village, had reportedly fallen victim to a brutal crime. Seven individuals have already been taken into custody, but the activist has continued to push for swift justice and stricter punishment for the accused.
The protests being spearheaded by Jarange have once again brought the Maratha reservation issue into the spotlight. While steps have been taken by the government to address the concerns, the activist has remained firm in his stance, emphasizing the importance of delivering long-term solutions for the Maratha community. The hunger strike, which is being closely monitored, has reignited discussions around the state’s reservation policies and the Maratha community’s demands for justice and recognition.
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