Maratha Quota Activist Manoj Jarange Ends 20-Day Fast, Issues Three-Month Ultimatum to Maharashtra Government
Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil conditionally ended his 20-day indefinite hunger strike on September 17, 2026, following successful talks with a high-level Maharashtra government delegation at Patoda in Beed district. The delegation, led by state ministers Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Dada Bhuse along with senior legislators, briefed the activist on the concrete administrative steps initiated by the state government to process reservation demands for the Maratha community.
Accepting the government's request due to his deteriorating health, Jarange-Patil suspended the fast but issued a strict three-month deadline to the state administration. He warned that if official recognition for historical administrative records—such as the Hyderabad and Satara Gazettes—is not granted to enable Marathas to obtain Kunbi caste certificates under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category within this timeframe, he will lead a massive march to Mumbai and launch an indefinite fast at Azad Maidan.
In response, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis welcomed the activist's decision to suspend the strike, stating that the government has already accepted 12 of the 13 demands raised by the movement. Minister Vikhe Patil requested Jarange-Patil to nominate three representatives to monitor the legal and administrative progress of the gazette notifications. The resolution brings temporary relief to the state administration, which had faced heightened public sensitivity and security concerns during the ongoing Ganeshotsav festival.
