How the Maratha quota agitation demanding Kunbi status has unfolded over the years

After the setback from court, activist Manoj Jarange Patil from Jalna emerged as a prominent face of the movement since August 2023.

Written by Vallabh Ozarkar

Mumbai | August 30, 2025 10:29 PM IST

Maratha reservation issue, Maratha quota demand Maharashtra, Maratha OBC reservation, Kunbi caste recognition for Marathas,

Manoj Jarange Patil has argued that Marathas and Kunbis share historical and social roots and are one and the same. (Express photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)

The Maratha community, constituting over 30 per cent of Maharashtra’s population, has for long been demanding reservation in education and government jobs. After several silent marches by the community in the past, in 2017-2018, when Devendra Fadnavis was chief minister, the then BJP-Sena (undivided) government attempted to grant them 12-13 per cent quota in education and jobs respectively under the Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) category. The decision was, however, struck down by the Supreme Court in May 2021, citing the 50 per cent cap on reservations. It also questioned social backwardness of the Marathas and, since then, Maratha reservation has remained a politically sensitive and socially mobilising issue.

After the setback from court, activist Manoj Jarange Patil from Jalna emerged as a prominent face of the movement since August 2023 and he has been pressing for a legal route to enable Marathas to access OBC quotas.

His key demand has been the recognition of Marathas as part of the Kunbi caste, allowing them to obtain Kunbi caste certificates thereby allowing them reservation under OBC category. Jarange Patil has argued that Marathas and Kunbis share historical and social roots and are one and the same and that these certificates would legally allow Marathas to avail OBC reservation benefits as Marathas have been deprived from the reservation.

2023: Jarange Patil undertook several hungerstrikes in Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna, demanding OBC quota benefits for Marathas through Kunbi recognition. His repeated protests drew widespread participation, mobilised the community and put pressure on the government to find a solution to their reservation demand.

Aug 29, 2023: Hungerstrike in Antarwali Sarati village marked an escalation in the wave of protests. It lasted 17 days and Jarange Patil withdrew it after assurance from then CM Eknath Shinde-led government.

Sept 1, 2023: Protests over Maratha reservation boiled over when police allegedly resorted to lathicharge and teargas on protesters in Antarwali village. Opposition leaders visited the village and condemned the government’s use of force. The government initiated talks with Jarange-Patil and issued a government resolution allowing Marathas whose ancestors were recorded as Kunbi in Nizam-era Hyderabad documents to obtain Kunbi caste certificates. This enabled Marathas in Marathwada region to avail OBC quota benefits.

Jan 20-26, 2024: Jarange Patil undertook a march from Jalna to Mumbai. He mobilised supporters to press for Kunbi OBC recognition for Marathas, including extended relatives (sage-soyare).

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Jan 26-27, 2024: State givernment issued a draft notification amending caste certificate rules, allowing Kunbi OBC certificates for Marathas and their extended families — ‘sage-soyare’. Jarange Patil called off the protest after discussions with then CM Eknath Shinde and ministers in Navi Mumbai

Feb 10, 2024: Jarange Patil again started a hungerstrike insisting on Maratha inclusion in OBC quota via Kunbi recognition and he rejected the partial measure of the government.

Feb 20, 2024: Special joint legislative session convened and Maharashtra Assembly passed a Bill granting 10 per cent SEBC quota to Marathas. However, Jarange Patil rejected it, stating that his demand was to be included in OBC quota via Kunbi status. Opposition parties and OBC leaders raised legal and political objections.

Aug 26, 2025: Mumbai police notified public meetings, agitations and processions rules, restricting protest timing, participant numbers and requiring daily permissions.

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Aug 29, 2025: Jarange Patil launched indefinite hungerstrike at Azad Maidan, Mumbai. Thousands participate, disrupting traffic across the city. Demands Kunbi status for Marathas to access OBC quota. Opposition parties, including Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP, support the protest.

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