Beed, Sept 2026 : Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Thursday called off his 20-day hunger strike in Beed after talks with a Maharashtra government delegation, giving the state government three months to act on his demands. He warned that the agitation would be taken to Mumbai if the demands were not addressed within the deadline.
Jarange announced his decision after meeting the government delegation at Patoda in Beed district. The delegation included ministers Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Dada Bhuse, MLC Prasad Lad, MLA Suresh Dhas and senior officials.
Jarange had started his march from Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district and halted at Patoda while heading towards Mumbai. During the meeting, government representatives briefed him on the steps being taken on the Maratha reservation issue.
Vikhe Patil urged Jarange to end his hunger strike and suggested that he nominate three representatives to monitor the progress of the government’s official process. He said the process concerning the Kolhapur and Satara gazettes could take around three to four months after the Advocate General submits written comments.
Jarange reiterated his demand for official recognition of historical administrative records, including the Hyderabad, Satara and Aundh Gazettes. He has maintained that these records should enable eligible members of the Maratha community to establish Kunbi lineage and seek reservation benefits under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
He also demanded a written assurance that no Kunbi records would be excluded from consideration, with the assurance to be signed by the Chief Minister.
While announcing the end of his fast, Jarange said the agitation itself would continue. He warned that if the government failed to act within three months, he would take the protest to Mumbai. He also appealed to the more than one lakh Maratha supporters who had travelled towards Mumbai to return home for the time being.
Jarange had earlier planned to reach Mumbai on September 19 after passing through Ahilyanagar, Pune and Khopoli in Raigad district. His decision to suspend the march temporarily brings the planned Mumbai mobilisation to a halt following the talks with the state government.
The development follows concerns over Jarange’s health during the prolonged fast and march. Reports had indicated that his physical condition had deteriorated while he was in Patoda.
The latest development also comes days after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government would not tolerate intimidating tactics and questioned the timing of the agitation during the ongoing Ganesh festival.
For now, the focus shifts to the government’s handling of the historical records and related reservation demands during the three-month period announced by Jarange. The activist has indicated that failure to meet the demands could lead to a fresh mobilisation in Mumbai.
