Manoj Jarange Patil demands no compromise on 58 lakh Kunbi records
Manoj Jarange Patil on Monday demanded transparency and no compromise over 58 lakh Kunbi records ahead of his August 29 hunger strike for Maratha reservation. Maharashtra ministers assured him that pending certificates would be issued and discrepancies addressed immediately
Jalna: Ahead of his announced indefinite hunger strike scheduled for August 29 regarding the implementation of the Maratha reservation, activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Monday engaged in high‑voltage discussions with a high‑level delegation of Maharashtra government ministers.
The tense meeting took place at Sarpanch’s farm in Antarwali Sarati, where Jarange Patil confronted the delegation over Kunbi records, the issuance of certificates and the execution of Government Resolutions (GRs).
The ministerial delegation included Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Chairman of the Cabinet Sub‑Committee on Maratha Reservation, Uday Samant, Minister of Industries, Shambhuraj Desai, Minister of Tourism, and Prasad Lad, Member of the Legislative Council.
The urgent meeting was convened after Jarange Patil warned that if no concrete solution was reached after his hunger strike began, the protest would move to Mumbai. During the discussions, Minister Vikhe Patil arranged a phone call connecting Jarange Patil directly with officials of the Justice Shinde Committee.
Jarange Patil strongly demanded full transparency on documented figures. He said, “Over the past three years, a total of 58 lakh Kunbi records have been uncovered, which includes 2 lakh newly discovered entries. The complete list of these records must be immediately displayed at all Talathi and Gram Sevak offices across every village.” He urged ministers to bring relevant officials along for discussions and demanded that procedures for granting certificates be explained to the Maratha community in simple terms.
Expressing frustration, Jarange Patil said if the government did not intend to provide certificates, it should state so clearly. He added that Marathas would rather move to other states to work as manual labourers than endure continued uncertainty. He questioned why OBC certificates were issued smoothly while Maratha certificates faced repeated delays.
He warned the government against any attempt to alter or reduce the count. “The government must distribute certificates for all remaining records before August 28. We are not against our OBC brothers, but we will not tolerate any foul play,” he said.
Jarange Patil also targeted senior political leaders, alleging that Ministers Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Sanjay Shirsat created hurdles and issued orders revoking certificates despite the Shinde Committee identifying 58 lakh Kunbi records and the Hyderabad Gazette being implemented.
Prasad Lad assured immediate action to complete distribution of pending certificates. Minister Desai clarified that certificates had already been issued to several individuals and reassured Jarange Patil that no existing records would be omitted. Vikhe Patil committed that discrepancies or administrative errors would be rectified immediately.
Vikhe Patil admitted that although orders had been issued regarding the Maratha reservation, they were not being implemented effectively. He said some officials were deliberately trying to malign the government’s image and warned that caste verification officials failing in their duties would face suspension or changes in service rules.
He remarked, “It is unfortunate that despite accepting the demands of the Maratha community regarding reservation, implementation is lagging. Certain officials acting as hidden obstacles must be dealt with. Any deliberate delay in granting certificates will be investigated.”
Delays and discrepancies in certificate issuance have fuelled anger within the Maratha community, preventing students from accessing concessions and impacting families. Vikhe Patil emphasised that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had taken serious note of officials attempting to discredit the government and promised strict preventive measures.
