Manoj Jarange announces final Maratha quota agitation from August 29
Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange announced a fresh agitation from August 29, alleging delays in issuing Kunbi caste certificates based on Hyderabad Gazette records. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said pending cases were few and the government was ready for discussions
Mumbai: Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange on Wednesday warned of a “last and decisive” agitation from August 29, alleging that the Maharashtra government had failed to issue caste certificates as per the Hyderabad Gazette despite identifying 58 lakh Kunbi records.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the number of pending cases is low and the government is willing to hold discussions if any genuine grievances remain.
Addressing supporters, Jarange said August 29 would mark three years of the Maratha quota movement and called for what he described as the “last and decisive agitation”.
“We have found 58 lakh Kunbi records in the state. We have repeatedly asked the government to issue caste certificates based on these records, but it is not doing so. That is why we have to launch another agitation,” he said.
Jarange urged all eligible persons whose records had been traced to submit applications for caste certificates and appealed to members of the Maratha community not to stay at home on August 29.
“If the certificates are not issued by August 28 as per the Hyderabad Gazette, the agitation will begin on August 29. This will be the final and decisive movement. Either I will go, or the government will go,” he said.
The Hyderabad Gazette is a historical Nizam-era and British administrative document cited by Maratha reservation activists to demand Kunbi-OBC caste status.
Jarange also alleged that Maratha youths are being “targeted” and claimed that certificates had not been issued for the past three to four months.
His other demands include the withdrawal of cases registered against protesters, the implementation of welfare measures promised to the Maratha community, the restoration of SARATHI schemes, the establishment of a separate ministry for the Maratha community, and the extension of benefits announced under the SEBC (Socially and Educationally Backward Classes) category.
The SEBC category is used to provide reservations in government jobs and educational admissions for disadvantaged communities.
Calling upon leaders across political parties to support the agitation, Jarange said the reservation issue is also affecting workers and families associated with the NCP, Shiv Sena and Congress.
Responding to Jarange’s announcement, Fadnavis said the Mahayuti government had taken more decisions for the welfare of the Maratha community than any previous dispensation.
“Caste certificates have been issued to those who have applied for them. The number of pending cases is low. If anyone feels some cases are still pending, we are ready to discuss the matter with them,” the chief minister told reporters.
He said the government would find a solution through discussions if any issues remained unresolved.
Fadnavis, meanwhile, said cases registered against protesters during demonstrations over the NEET paper leak in Mumbai would be withdrawn, adding that the offences were largely related to prohibitory orders.
Sources earlier said that Fadnavis had asked the home department to withdraw FIRs lodged by police against protesters involved in agitations in different parts of the state over the NEET paper leak.
