Jalna, August 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Friday warned that the community could march to Mumbai in five phases if the Maharashtra government fails to meet its demands concerning Kunbi caste certificates, as he urged people to gather in large numbers at Antarwali Sarati ahead of his proposed indefinite hunger strike.
Speaking to the media at Antarwali Sarati on the final day of his ultimatum to the state government, Jarange Patil launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Cabinet Sub-Committee Chairman Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil.
He appealed to the Maratha community to “shake off their lethargy and passivity” and assemble at Antarwali Sarati. He specifically asked people whose Kunbi records had been identified but who had not received certificates, those whose applications had been rejected and candidates awaiting appointments despite being selected for government jobs to reach the protest site with their documents.
Jarange Patil said the agitation would begin at Antarwali Sarati on August 29. If the administration failed to act, he said, the protest would move to Mumbai and target the Chief Minister’s official residence, Varsha.
He reiterated that his fast unto death would continue until his demands were implemented and appealed to members of the community not to resort to suicide but to remain united.
He alleged that authorities were attempting to reduce the number of verified Kunbi records, which he claimed had earlier been placed at 58 lakh.
“Do not play with the lives of Maratha youth,” he said, alleging that the government had initially provided benefits to the community but was now undermining its progress.
Jarange Patil also criticised Vikhe Patil over the handling of verification procedures and cautioned ministers including Uday Samant, Shambhuraj Desai and Chandrashekhar Bawankule against allegedly misleading the community.
Among his key demands, Jarange Patil sought the immediate issuance of valid Kunbi caste certificates to all 58 lakh identified record holders, along with clear protocols for their distribution. He also demanded Government Resolutions incorporating the Satara, Kolhapur, Aundh and Pune gazettes.
He called for immediate government job appointments for families of people who died during the Maratha reservation agitation, creation of an independent Maratha-Kunbi Ministry and restoration of halted schemes under the Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research, Training and Human Development Institute (SARTHI).
His other demands include payment of pending interest reimbursements under the Annasaheb Patil Arthik Vikas Mahamandal and restoration and validation of four revoked caste certificates in the Marathwada region.
Jarange Patil also demanded that senior administrative officers visit Antarwali Sarati and explain the framework and procedures for issuing the certificates.
He warned that if the government failed to respond to the demands, a larger mobilisation of the Maratha community could follow, including a proposed march of up to six crore people to Mumbai in five phases.
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