Day 2 of Maratha quota protest: Jarange firm on Kunbi certificate demand, warns of march to Mumbai
Activist Manoj Jarange has entered the second day of an indefinite hunger strike, demanding Kunbi caste certificates for the Maratha community. He has threatened to lead a march to Mumbai if the government does not meet his demands by September 12.
Why it matters
The protest represents a significant social and political challenge regarding reservation policies and caste-based identity in Maharashtra.
Activist Manoj Jarange on Sunday (August 30, 2026) stood firm on his demand for Kunbi caste certificates for all Marathas as his indefinite hunger strike entered the second day, warning that he would march to Mumbai if the Maharashtra government failed to act.
Mr. Jarange launched his 11th indefinite fast over Maratha reservation-related demands at his native Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district on Saturday (August 29), where thousands of community members have gathered to support his agitation.
He has been demanding that eligible Marathas be recognised as Kunbis, an agrarian community that enjoys reservation benefits in education and government jobs under the Other Backward Class (OBC) category.
“The Maharashtra government should declare all Marathas as Kunbi,” the activist told reporters on the second day of his agitation.
Mr. Jarange said that if the government failed to accept the demands, he would march to Mumbai and intensify the agitation.
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