Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil has issued a stern ultimatum to the Maharashtra government, warning that the state will face a total shutdown within 10 minutes if any peaceful protesters are harmed during the community’s upcoming mobilization. As his indefinite hunger strike at Antarwali Sarti in Jalna district entered its 10th day on September 7, 2026, Jarange Patil called for a massive gathering of supporters on September 12 to formalize the next phase of the agitation, which includes a planned march toward Mumbai.
The activist’s warning comes amid heightened tensions as the Maratha community continues to demand reservation benefits under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. While Jarange Patil has directed his supporters to remain peaceful and avoid any confrontation with law enforcement, he has explicitly blamed the state government, specifically citing Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, for the current impasse. He urged his followers to refrain from acting aggressively toward police, emphasizing that the movement’s grievances are directed solely at the administration.
Government Issues New Resolutions Amid Protests
In an effort to address the mounting pressure, the Maharashtra government issued four key Government Resolutions (GRs) aimed at providing educational, financial, and employment benefits to the Maratha, Kunbi, and Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) categories. The Directorate of Technical Education has instructed all divisional offices and universities to ensure that students from the Maratha community receive educational concessions on par with the OBC category, effective from the 2026–27 academic year.
the Higher and Technical Education Department has sanctioned Rs 200 crore to clear pending hostel maintenance allowances for students under the EBC, EWS, and SEBC categories. The government also revised the foreign scholarship framework managed by the Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research, Training and Human Development Institute (SARTHI). Under these new guidelines, tuition fees will be remitted directly to foreign universities, and students will receive an additional annual living allowance of $1,500, with selection based on QS World University Rankings.
Verification of Kunbi Records and Local Transparency
Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil has initiated a high-level review to expedite the verification of Kunbi records, which are central to the community's demand for OBC status. The process involves cross-referencing historical data from the Hyderabad Gazetteer. Officials have been directed to upload all verified records to district websites to allow for public viewing via mobile devices, ensuring that the documentation process remains accessible to the community.
To further enhance transparency at the grassroots level, district collectors have been instructed to publish village-specific records directly on the notice boards of respective Gram Panchayats. This move is intended to provide immediate clarity to residents regarding their eligibility for Kunbi caste certificates, which would grant them access to reservation benefits in education and government employment. The government’s focus on these administrative measures reflects an attempt to de-escalate the situation before the September 12 deadline set by the protest leadership.
Mobilization Plans for September 12
Jarange Patil has urged Maratha community members from across the state to converge at Antarwali Sarti on September 12 for a strategic meeting. He specifically requested the presence of supporters from districts including Pune, Solapur, Sangli, Kolhapur, Satara, Sindhudurg, Raigad, Mumbai, and Nashik. The activist emphasized that the final plan for the march to Mumbai will be decided during this gathering, and he has requested that supporters attend in person rather than relying on remote updates.
Large-scale logistical arrangements, including LED screens and sound systems, are being prepared at the protest site to accommodate the expected influx of participants. Despite the government’s recent policy announcements, Jarange Patil maintains that the state has been deliberately delaying action on the core demands. He alleged that some ministers are working to weaken the agitation and warned that authorities might attempt to create confrontational situations to disrupt the movement.
Stance on Law Enforcement and Public Order
Throughout the ongoing hunger strike, Jarange Patil has maintained a clear distinction between the state government and the police force. He has repeatedly instructed his supporters to avoid any form of retaliation against law enforcement personnel, even if they are stopped or confronted. The activist’s directive is to ensure that the movement remains disciplined, preventing any incidents that could be used to discredit the cause or justify a crackdown.
In a related development, police detained four OBC activists who had launched a counter-hunger strike near the protest site in Antarwali Sarti, citing law-and-order concerns. This incident highlights the volatile atmosphere surrounding the reservation debate. Jarange Patil has appealed to his supporters not to crowd the venue unnecessarily and to maintain peace during the upcoming mobilization, reiterating that the threat of a statewide shutdown is a defensive measure intended to protect the safety of the protesters.
