Maratha activist Jarange launches 11th hunger strike over Kunbi certificates

Manoj Jarange initiated his 11th hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district on Thursday, reviving his campaign for Kunbi certificates for applicants whose records have been verified. The veteran activist is demanding that authorities issue the certificates to approximately 58 lakh (5.8 million) verified applicants, a matter that has remained contested and unresolved despite previous agitations.

Jarange's repeated recourse to fasting represents an escalation of his prolonged struggle to secure Kunbi caste classification, a designation critical for Maratha community members seeking to access reserved seats in educational institutions and government employment across Maharashtra. The Kunbi certificate issue has become increasingly contentious, with verification processes moving at a glacial pace despite administrative assurances of expedited action.

The activist's latest fast comes amid broader debates surrounding Maratha reservation eligibility and the implementation of related policies in the state. His successive hunger strikes have drawn significant public attention and periodically prompted government responses, though substantive resolution of the core demands remains elusive.

Jarange has previously suspended similar agitations following negotiations with state authorities and assurances of action on pending certificates. The current fast reflects his assertion that existing undertakings remain unfulfilled, and that extraordinary measures are necessary to catalyse administrative movement on the matter.