Manoj Jarange launched a fresh agitation in Jalna on Thursday, demanding that the Maratha community be granted reservation under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. The protest, which drew hundreds of supporters, centered on the demand for implementation of the Hyderabad gazetteer, a colonial-era document that categorizes Marathas as Kunbis in the Marathwada region.
Key Demands of the Agitation
The agitators are pressing for the immediate distribution of Kunbi certificates to Maratha individuals, which would enable them to access OBC reservation benefits in education and government jobs. Jarange, a prominent Maratha activist, emphasized that the gazetteer's recognition of Marathas as Kunbis must be enforced administratively to address the community's long-standing grievances.
Background of the Demand
The Hyderabad gazetteer, compiled during the Nizam's rule, lists Marathas under the Kunbi sub-caste, which is already classified as OBC in Maharashtra. Activists argue that this historical documentation should serve as the basis for granting OBC status to all Marathas in the region, bypassing the need for fresh surveys or legal hurdles.
Jarange stated, "The government must act on the gazetteer without delay. Our community has been waiting for decades. We will not back down until certificates are issued." The protest is part of a broader movement that has seen multiple rounds of talks with state officials, but no concrete action so far.
Government Response
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has previously assured that the government is studying the gazetteer's implications. However, critics point out that the ruling coalition is divided on the issue, with some allies opposing any changes that could affect existing OBC quotas. The agitation is expected to intensify in the coming weeks, with Jarange threatening to escalate if demands are not met.
Local authorities have deployed additional police forces in Jalna to prevent any untoward incidents. The protest has garnered support from various Maratha organizations and political leaders, who see it as a test case for broader reservation reforms in the state.
