Maratha Activist Manoj Jarange Demands Cancellation of Eknath Shinde's Rally

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil has called for the cancellation of an event in Parbhani featuring Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Jarange, who is currently on the second day of his 11th indefinite hunger strike, warned that he and his supporters would answer back if the program is not cancelled. Security has been stepped up in response to the opposition to the rally. Jarange also criticized Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Jadhav for proceeding with the event despite requests to cancel it.

Jarange's primary demand is that the government recognize all eligible Marathas as Kunbis, an agrarian community that receives reservation benefits under the Other Backward Class category. He has further demanded the total scrapping of caste validity scrutiny committees, alleging that these bodies are corrupt and demand bribes. This specific demand has faced opposition from legal experts and OBC leaders across Maharashtra.

Additional demands include the withdrawal of police cases against quota protesters, financial compensation and government jobs for families of those who died in previous agitations, and the release of pending SARTHI student scholarships. Jarange stated that if the government accepts these demands by September 12, there will be no need for a proposed fast in Mumbai. He also called for the creation of a dedicated state portfolio for the Maratha and Kunbi communities.