New Delhi: In Jalna, Maharashtra, Maratha activist Manoj Jarange commenced an indefinite hunger strike on Saturday (June 8), pressing for the implementation of a draft notification recognizing all blood relatives of Maratha community members as Kunbis.

Jarange also demanded the enactment of legislation to classify Kunbis as Marathas. He issued a warning, stating intentions to field candidates across all 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra during the forthcoming state elections if his demands remained unmet.

Initiating the fresh wave of protest at his hometown, Antarwali Sarati village in Ambad tehsil of Jalna district, Jarange defied denial of permission by the district administration and police authorities.

His demands primarily revolve around securing Other Backward Community (OBC) status for the Marathas and enforcing the draft notification issued earlier this year by the state government, aiming to issue certificates to blood relatives of eligible Kunbi Marathas.

Kunbi, an agrarian community, is categorized under OBC, and Jarange advocates for granting Kunbi certificates to all Marathas to avail quota benefits.

Jarange expressed unwavering determination, vowing not to relent until Maratha reservation is realized, despite alleging government attempts to disrupt his protest by inciting local residents.

While some villagers petitioned the district administration against allowing Jarange's protest in the village, citing potential communal tension, Jarange directed appeals to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to address the reservation issue.

In the absence of resolution on the Maratha reservation, Jarange threatened multi-community candidate nominations in all 288 assembly segments, though he clarified his personal abstinence from electoral politics.

He stressed the implementation of the draft notification regarding Kunbi Maratha blood relatives and urged for legislation recognizing Kunbis as Marathas, indicating potential respect for CM Shinde and Deputy CM Fadnavis upon fulfillment of the reservation demand.

Previously, Jarange led protests on the quota issue between February 10 and 26. The Maharashtra legislature passed a bill on February 20, providing 10% reservation for Marathas in education and government jobs under a separate category.

Jarange, claiming receipt of 57 lakh documents supporting the equivalence of Marathas and Kunbis, hinted at extending the fight for Dhangar and Muslim communities' quotas post-Maratha reservation attainment.

Regarding the impact of the Maratha reservation issue on the recent Lok Sabha polls, Jarange defended his community's strength and refuted allegations that BJP leader Pankaja Munde lost in Beed due to his influence, asserting neutrality in supporting or opposing candidates.

He accused CM Shinde and Deputy CM Fadnavis of obstructing the Maratha reservation process, accusing the latter of conspiring against the community.