The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Maharashtra): Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange has issued a stern warning to Maharashtra’s Mahayuti government, promising that the Maratha community will teach the administration a lesson for denying them reservations and criminalizing their protests. Jarange, known for his hunger strikes demanding reservations for Marathas in education and government jobs, expressed the community’s growing anger and unity as the state gears up for the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
Speaking from his village Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district, Jarange revealed that the community’s frustration had forced Prime Minister Narendra Modi to campaign extensively in Maharashtra. “The Maratha community’s unity and anger have compelled Modi to hold numerous rallies here,” Jarange stated in an interview with PTI. He criticized the Shiv Sena-BJP-NCP ‘Mahayuti’ government for registering cases against peaceful protestors during last year’s quota agitation, labeling it as a misuse of the home department, which is overseen by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Jarange also highlighted the significant efforts Modi had to put in due to the Maratha community’s solidarity, which includes holding over ten rallies in Maharashtra, a state that sends 48 MPs to the Lok Sabha. The Maratha quota agitation gained momentum in September 2023 following a police lathi-charge on protestors in Antarwali Sarati, where Jarange had initiated an indefinite hunger strike. The protests turned violent in Beed and other Marathwada areas in October, prompting the government to engage in talks with Jarange.
Although the government agreed to issue ‘Kunbi’ caste certificates to eligible Marathas, fulfilling Jarange’s demand for reservations in the Other Backward Class (OBC) category remains unmet. Jarange pointed out that Marathas make up 28 percent of Maharashtra’s population and that the community will eventually make a significant political decision. “The sentiment is clear: those who did not grant reservations must not be supported,” he declared.
Jarange also criticized the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), accusing it of failing the Maratha community during its tenure. “Injustice has been done not only by the Mahayuti but also by the MVA. False cases were registered, an SIT was formed, and the community was denied OBC quota reservations,” he said. He criticized MVA parties Congress and NCP for not extending reservations to the community despite having Maratha chief ministers.
Earlier this year, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar directed the government to establish a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate controversial remarks made by Jarange about Fadnavis. Jarange warned that if the demands are not met, the Maratha community would field candidates in all 288 assembly seats in the upcoming state elections, representing all communities.
A large gathering of the Maratha community is scheduled for June 8 at Narayangad in Beed district, signaling the revival of the agitation ahead of the state elections. The Supreme Court had invalidated a previous government’s reservation grant to the Marathas in 2021, citing it exceeded the 50 percent reservation ceiling. In response to protests, the Maharashtra legislature unanimously passed a bill in February providing 10 percent reservation for Marathas in education and government jobs under a separate category. However, Jarange insists on OBC quota reservations, fearing the new law may not withstand legal scrutiny.
Maharashtra is witnessing a five-phase polling for the first time, with Jalna scheduled to vote on May 13 in the fourth phase. The fifth phase will take place on May 20.