Maharashtra government wants to slash data of 58 lakh Marathas eligible for caste certificates: Jarange

Manoj Jarange Patil, a prominent Maratha reservation activist, accused the Maharashtra government on Monday of attempting to reduce the number of Kunbi caste certificates issued to eligible members of the Maratha community. Jarange claimed the state authorities want to slash the figure from 58 lakh (5.8 million) to a lower number and urged the community to resist such efforts. He called for an aggressive campaign to push for the recognition of the 58 lakh records previously identified as eligible for caste certificates. Jarange made the allegations during a press conference in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where he reiterated his demand for the government to issue caste certificates based on the existing data. He warned that the administration was trying to curtail the number of valid certificates and emphasized that the Maratha community must not yield to political pressures. “They should not come under pressure from any political party or individual,” he said. The activist announced plans for a protest tour starting August 20 and continuing until August 25, focusing on regions including Marathwada and parts of Vidarbha. He also declared an indefinite fast beginning August 29, aimed at securing Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota benefits for eligible Marathas. His demands included validating all existing Kunbi caste certificates, releasing pending financial dues, and completing the appointment of candidates selected under the Scheduled Caste and Other Backward Classes (SEBC) and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) quotas by the deadline. Jarange also called for the resumption of schemes suspended by the Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research, Training and Human Development Institute (SARTHI), an autonomous body under the state government. He insisted that all these requests had been submitted in writing to the government and stressed that none should remain unresolved by August 29. During a meeting held on Sunday at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna, Jarange engaged with scholars and experts from the Maratha community and those working on reservation policies. He expressed concern over some individuals within the community who, according to him, seemed more aligned with political interests than the collective cause of the Marathas. These individuals, he claimed, were opposing the community’s demands for change in government orders. Jarange also criticized several ministers in the Devendra Fadnavis-led cabinet, accusing them of inciting unrest among Maratha community members. He specifically named ministers Sanjay Shirsat, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, and MP Sandipan Bhumre, alleging they were working to undermine the community's position. He pointed out that Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, head of the Maratha reservation sub-committee, had initiated a new process to recheck the validity of previously issued caste certificates. “This raises the question, why is only the validity of Maratha community certificates being checked? Are certificates of other communities also being scrutinized?” Jarange asked, suggesting that the government’s actions could provoke further tensions. He noted that there were six pending validity cases in Jalna that had remained unresolved for months. According to Jarange, the current situation has sparked significant anger among various segments of society, including students, businesspeople, farmers, micro-OBC groups, and Adivasis. He emphasized the need for unity and resistance against perceived injustices faced by the Maratha community. His calls for action reflect growing frustration over delayed resolutions and perceived bureaucratic hurdles in securing rightful benefits for the community.