Maratha Reservation Protest Peaks: Hunger Strike in Mumbai Demands Quota in Education, Jobs

Maratha agitation has intensified as Manoj Jarange Patil’s hunger strike in Mumbai enters day 4. Maratha community is demanding 10–16% reservation in education and jobs.

The demand for 10–16% reservation in education and government jobs has once again brought Maharashtra to a boiling point, as Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil entered the fourth day of his indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan, Mumbai. Patil has vowed to forgo even water until the community’s demands are met, which has galvanized thousands of supporters, paralysing traffic in south Mumbai and forcing the state government into a tight corner.

Thousands of Marathas reached south Mumbai, crippling traffic around Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), blocking BEST buses, and forcing heavy police deployment. As the agitation spreads, fears of statewide blockades loom large, escalating pressure on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his coalition partners just months before crucial local body elections.

Why Marathas Are Protesting

The Maratha community, which accounts for nearly one-third of Maharashtra’s population, has historically dominated politics but is today grappling with agrarian distress, shrinking landholdings, and high suicide rates among farmers. Marathas have been complaining of poor representation in state govt jobs and in higher education institutions, despite giving 12 of Maharashtra’s 20 chief ministers.

Marathas demand

The Marathas are demanding recognition of all Marathas as Kunbis, enabling access to the 19% OBC quota in jobs and education. They are also demanding separate SEBC Quota, 10–16% reservation under Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC), even if it breaches the Supreme Court’s 50% cap.

On Monday, Maharashtra CM, Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar held emergency talks, forming a Justice Sandeep Shinde Committee to review Kunbi records. However, Jarange has dismissed the move, calling it another stalling tactic.

Meanwhile, opposition parties have attacked the state govt, NCP (SP)’s Supriya Sule visited Azad Maidan, while Sharad Pawar suggested a constitutional amendment to bypass the 50% cap, citing Tamil Nadu’s model. The BJP, wary of alienating its Maratha vote bank after setbacks in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, faces a political balancing act between OBC resentment and Maratha anger.

A Battle Spanning Decades

The fight for Maratha reservation is not new. It stretches back to the 1980s, with key flashpoints:

2016–17: 58 silent marches by the Maratha Kranti Morcha shook Maharashtra.

2018: The SEBC Act granted Marathas 16% quota, later reduced to 12–13% by the Bombay HC.

2021: The Supreme Court struck it down, citing violation of the 50% ceiling.

2024: The Maharashtra Assembly passed a 10% quota Bill, based on the Justice Sunil Shukre Commission report, but the Bombay HC stayed its implementation.

Jarange Patil has demanded, statewide Kunbi certificates for 58 lakh Marathas. 10–16% exclusive quota in education and jobs. Free education till PhD for Maratha students until quota is secured. Withdrawal of police cases from past agitations. Caste census to prove backwardness. Rejecting government committees and “delaying tactics,” Jarange has warned of road blockades and mass protests across Maharashtra, even threatening to “overthrow the government” if demands are ignored.