Jalna, September 2026 : The health of Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil deteriorated further on Sunday evening as his indefinite hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati in Maharashtra’s Jalna district entered its ninth day, prompting health authorities to send a medical team to the protest site for an assessment.
The medical team, which included the district surgeon and other senior health officials, reached the protest venue during the night after reports emerged that Jarange-Patil’s condition had worsened. Doctors reportedly attempted to examine him and provide medical assistance, but the activist refused treatment despite repeated appeals. He had also declined medical check-ups and intervention during earlier stages of his fast.
Jarange-Patil began his indefinite hunger strike on August 29, demanding the issuance of Kunbi certificates to eligible members of the Maratha community based on nearly 58 lakh Kunbi-related records identified during a government exercise. He has maintained that the agitation will continue until his demands are addressed.
A key demand of the activist is that Kunbi certificates should be issued on the basis of all the identified records rather than being restricted by existing administrative procedures. He has also called for implementation of decisions concerning historical records and gazettes associated with Hyderabad, Satara, Kolhapur and Aundh.
In addition, Jarange-Patil has sought resolution of rejected and pending caste-certificate applications and withdrawal of cases registered against Maratha protesters during earlier reservation-related agitations.
The Maharashtra government has maintained that the process of issuing Kunbi certificates is already underway. According to figures released by the government, more than 14.31 lakh applications had been submitted as of August 24. Of these, more than 14.24 lakh applicants had reportedly received Kunbi certificates, while 1,747 applications were pending and 5,248 had been rejected.
Jarange-Patil, however, has continued to insist that certificates should be issued in accordance with all 58 lakh Kunbi-related records identified by the government.
The standoff has prompted several rounds of discussions between Jarange-Patil and representatives of the state government. On September 2, BJP MLC Prasad Lad met the activist and assured him that the government would work towards addressing his pending demands. Following the assurance, Jarange-Patil agreed temporarily to take water and allow intravenous fluids.
A subsequent government delegation comprising ministers and senior officials also held discussions with him. However, the talks failed to convince the activist to withdraw his indefinite hunger strike.
The government is also concerned about the possibility of the agitation spreading beyond the protest site. Jarange-Patil’s supporters have staged road blockades and called shutdowns in parts of the Marathwada region, including Beed, Latur and Dharashiv. The activist has warned that the agitation could be intensified and taken towards Mumbai if his demands are not fulfilled.
Recent reports have indicated that Jarange-Patil has set a deadline around September 11-12 for the government to take action on his demands, increasing pressure on the state administration to find a solution before the protest escalates further.
Maharashtra minister Shambhuraj Desai has appealed to Jarange-Patil to end his hunger strike and prioritise his health. Desai said that following discussions with the activist, the state government had instructed the administration to display lists of Kunbi records in villages in accordance with assurances given during the talks.
Desai reiterated that the government remained committed to ensuring that any decision on Maratha reservation would not adversely affect the rights and interests of other communities. He said the documentation and legal processes associated with the reservation issue were being expedited.
The minister also urged Jarange-Patil to accept medical assistance, particularly in view of his deteriorating health, and withdraw the hunger strike.
Meanwhile, the Maratha reservation agitation has triggered a counter-response from sections of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community. OBC representatives began a symbolic hunger strike near the protest site at Antarwali Sarati on September 6, opposing what they described as preferential treatment for the Maratha community.
The OBC representatives have expressed concern that granting benefits to Marathas through Kunbi certificates could affect existing reservation rights and entitlements available to OBC communities.
With Jarange-Patil’s health condition worsening and both sides maintaining firm positions, pressure is mounting on the Maharashtra government to resolve the impasse. Authorities are closely monitoring developments at Antarwali Sarati, while concerns are growing that the agitation could intensify and expand to other parts of the state if a settlement is not reached in the coming days.
