Patoda/Beed, September 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Thursday suspended his 20-day hunger strike after holding talks with a Maharashtra government delegation and gave the state government 90 days to act on his demands. He warned that he would resume the agitation and march to Mumbai if the commitments were not fulfilled.
The delegation that met Jarange Patil at Patoda in Beed district included Ministers Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Dadaji Bhuse, legislators Prasad Lad and Suresh Dhas, and senior district officials. Following the talks, Jarange said the agitation itself would continue despite the suspension of the fast.
A key demand is implementation of the Satara Gazette within three months. Jarange also sought action on the Satara, Kolhapur, Pune and Aundh Gazettes through a Government Resolution, along with a revised GR concerning Kunbi certificates under the Hyderabad Gazette framework.
He insisted that the 58 lakh Kunbi records identified by the Shinde Committee must not be reduced or excluded. Jarange sought a written assurance on the matter and said the Chief Minister should personally endorse the commitment.
The government delegation assured him that the identified 58 lakh records would not be reduced. It also conveyed that steps would be taken on the Hyderabad Gazette-related GR and other demands within the 90-day period. BJP MLA Prasad Lad said the government would honour the commitments made during the talks within three months.
Jarange also demanded revalidation of four revoked Kunbi certificates belonging to elected representatives from Marathwada and called for the deployment of officials who could assist in locating historical Kunbi records.
During the discussions, Vikhe Patil reportedly said the Satara Gazette involved a lengthy report requiring detailed examination before action could be taken. On the Hyderabad Gazette-related GR, he said the government would take care to ensure that the process was not halted by a court order.
Jarange had earlier begun moving towards Mumbai for a proposed agitation at Azad Maidan. However, his health deteriorated during the journey after he stopped taking water and intravenous fluids, adding urgency to the government’s outreach.
After suspending the fast, Jarange appealed to supporters to remain disciplined and reiterated that he would return to agitation if the government failed to act within the 90-day deadline.
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