Manoj Jarange resumes fast, seeks Kunbi caste certificates

Mumbai: Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil on Saturday began an indefinite fast at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district, renewing his demand that the Maharashtra government issue Kunbi (OBC) caste certificates to Marathas, making them eligible for reservation benefits in education and government jobs under the OBC category.

Jarange has been pressing the state to facilitate the issuance of Kunbi certificates on the basis of references contained in the Hyderabad Gazetteer and the Satara Gazetteer, arguing that these records establish the Maratha community's link to the Kunbi caste.

Maharashtra minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who heads the cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservation, met Jarange at the protest site on Saturday and appealed to him to withdraw his fast. Vikhe Patil, however, said implementing the demands could create legal complications.


"Legal experts have advised the government that since the Government Resolution issued for implementation of the Hyderabad Gazetteer has already been challenged, there could be further legal complications if the Satara Gazetteer is also brought into effect," he said.

At the heart of Jarange's agitation is the demand that Marathas, particularly those from the Marathwada region, be issued Kunbi caste certificates. The Kunbi community, considered a sub-group linked to the Marathas in some regions, is included in the OBC category in Maharashtra.