Maratha Activist Warns of Renewed Hunger Strike Amid Government Inaction

Reservation activist Manoj Jarange accused the Maharashtra government on Tuesday of breaking promises to the Maratha community. Announcing a new hunger strike set for August 29 in Mumbai, Jarange, speaking from Antarwali Sarthi village in Jalna district, claimed the government had deceived the Maratha people.

Jarange has previously led multiple hunger strikes, demanding the recognition of all Marathas as Kunbis--an agrarian caste categorized under Other Backward Classes--and reservation benefits in government jobs and education. He urged the implementation of historical records, such as the Bombay, Satara, and Hyderabad gazettes, which he insists classify the Maratha community as Kunbis.

Jarange expressed frustration over the government's failure to meet four key demands previously assured to the community. He criticized the government for not issuing the necessary gazette notifications and for not acting on crucial documents collected to prove the Maratha-Kunbi connection. Warning of a march to Mumbai, he called on Marathas to prepare and fight for their rights.

(With inputs from agencies.)