On Monday, Manoj Jarange, a prominent Maratha leader, commenced his 11th day of an indefinite hunger strike outside the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, demanding that the state honour the 16% reservation promised to the Maratha community under the 2018 amendment.
The Maharashtra government, citing a recent verification exercise, has questioned the authenticity of Jarange’s Kunbi caste certificate, alleging procedural lapses. Officials say the certificate does not meet the criteria set by the state’s reservation board, a claim Jarange has flatly rejected as politically motivated.
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State Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urged the protestors to end the fast, warning of health risks, while opposition parties have rallied behind Jarange, accusing the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena alliance of reneging on its electoral promise. Legal experts note that the Supreme Court’s 2022 verdict on caste‑based reservations remains a pivotal reference point for any further judicial scrutiny.
