Jarange-Patil: Betrayal Will Ignite the Maratha Fury, Ensuring Mahayuti’s Defeat in Upcoming Polls!
Manoj Jarange-Patil, a prominent Maratha quota activist, has issued a stark warning to the ruling Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra, asserting that its constituents will face electoral repercussions if their demand for reservation is not met. Speaking from a hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where he is recuperating after concluding a five-day hunger strike in Mumbai, Jarange-Patil vowed that his movement would persist until all eligible Marathas are classified under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
Jarange-Patil’s protest ended following a government resolution allowing Marathas with documentary proof of Kunbi lineage to claim OBC benefits. Nonetheless, he urged Marathas across all regions, particularly in the Konkan, to actively assert their rights to avoid jeopardizing future opportunities for subsequent generations. He cautioned, “Implement the Hyderabad and Satara gazettes within a month or face consequences,” promising continued efforts to secure the community’s rightful place.
Despite the movement’s temporary pause, tensions are palpable. The announcement has ignited unrest among OBC groups and sparked divisions within the ruling alliance comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, a recognized OBC figure, boycotted a Cabinet meeting to protest the resolution and suggested he might challenge it in court, arguing that OBC interests are being compromised for the sake of Maratha benefits.
Dissent is also emerging within Jarange-Patil’s camp. Advocate Yogesh Kedar, a close ally, criticized the government for “misleading the community” and labeled the government resolution as “a complete sham.” He emphasized, “Every time we win on the streets, we lose at the negotiating table,” signaling concern that the government’s proposal could hinder the long-term goals of the movement.
In Nagpur, the Rashtriya OBC Mahasangh concluded its six-day hunger strike after OBC Welfare Minister Atul Save assured protesters that their quota would remain intact. The Mahasangh initially launched its protest on August 30 with 14 demands, including guarantees that Marathas would not be classified under the OBC category without rigorous historical verification. Save indicated that 12 demands were accepted, with remaining issues to be discussed in an upcoming meeting in Mumbai.
He reassured the public, stating, “Only Marathas with valid proof of Kunbi ancestry will be eligible [for benefits]. There will be no injustice to OBCs.” However, the opposition remains skeptical of these assurances. State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal accused the government of exacerbating tensions between Marathas and OBCs, advocating for a caste-based census as the “only permanent solution.” He questioned the feasibility of dual benefits for both communities, comparing Maharashtra’s situation to Telangana, which has a 42% OBC quota.
In response to mounting concerns, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced the establishment of two committees tasked with addressing OBC grievances regarding the Maratha quota and ensuring “justice for both communities.” As tensions rise, the political landscape remains charged, with the implications of these developments likely to resonate throughout the upcoming elections.
Published – September 5, 2025, 01:52 am IST.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/if-betrayed-marathas-will-ensure-mahayuti-bites-the-dust-in-polls-says-jarange-patil/article70012775.ece
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Publish Date: 2025-09-05 01:52:00
