Maratha Activist Manoj Jarange Intensifies Protest for Kunbi Quota

Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange intensified his protest, urging Maharashtra Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis to act against violence targeting Marathas for not supporting BJP's Beed candidate. During his indefinite fast, Jarange demanded Marathas receive Kunbi certificates for OBC benefits and advised Marathas to focus on farming.

Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange intensified his plea to Maharashtra Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, calling for action against individuals attacking Marathas for their voting choices in Beed during the Lok Sabha election.

Speaking on the second day of his indefinite fast in Antarwali Sarathi, Jarange highlighted assaults on Marathas for not supporting BJP's Pankaja Munde, who lost to NCP (SP) candidate Bajrang Sonawane. He urged the home minister and Beed superintendent of police to address this violence and appealed to Maratha youth to maintain peace and communal harmony.

Jarange stated that leaders opposing Maratha interests would face repercussions during the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections. His fast, launched on Saturday, demanded implementation of a draft notification recognizing Kunbis among Maratha relatives, including issuing Kunbi certificates for quota benefits under the OBC category.

Despite advising Marathas to focus on farming rather than joining the protest, the Antarwali Sarathi village gram panchayat passed a resolution supporting Jarange's cause, although some villagers voiced concerns over communal harmony.

Previously, Jarange had spearheaded quota agitations in February, leading to the Maharashtra legislature's unanimous passage of a bill granting Marathas a 10 percent reservation in education and government jobs on February 20.