54 lakh records found so far in Maharashtra show that Marathas belonged to Kunbi caste: Jarange

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Wednesday claimed that 54 lakh records identifying members of the Maratha community as Kunbi (OBC subcaste) have been received so far in Maharashtra, and demanded immediate issuance of caste certificates.

He assured that his protest in Mumbai would be “peaceful and democratic” and normal life in the country’s financial capital would not be affected.

Jarange along with thousands of supporters marched from Jalna district towards Mumbai on 20 January, demanding that the state government give quota to Marathas under the OBC group in jobs and education.

The procession comprising several vehicles was passing through Pune city on Wednesday via Mumbai, where it will conclude on January 26.

Pune Police diverted road traffic and made elaborate security arrangements.

Jarange had announced to launch an indefinite hunger strike in Mumbai from January 26 over the failure of the state government to provide reservation to Marathas in government jobs and education.

“So far 54 lakh records have been found which show that many members of the Maratha community are from the farming Kunbi community. These persons and their descendants should be given Kunbi caste certificates immediately,” he told reporters.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had last month said that if necessary, a special session of the state legislature would be held in February 2024 to provide reservation to the Maratha community.

Asked about the assurance given by Shinde, Jarange said the government has seven months to act on the quota demand.

A Maratha leader claimed that support for Jarange is growing and the number of participants is increasing as the morcha gets closer to Mumbai.

The march will stop at Lonavala on Wednesday evening. He said, we will move towards Mumbai on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters later in the day, Jarange said the protests in Mumbai would be peaceful.

The Bombay High Court had earlier on Wednesday refused to stop Jarange from entering Mumbai, but had asked the Maharashtra government to ensure that city roads are not blocked.

When asked about the High Court order, Jarange said there would be no traffic jam as “there are thousands of roads in Mumbai and we will take only one.” “We will conduct our protest in a democratic and peaceful manner,” he said, adding that his aim is not to bring Mumbai to a standstill.

Jarange had fasted unto death on two occasions in the past to demand Maratha reservation, forcing the government to form a committee to look into the OBC background of members of the Maratha community in the Marathwada region.

Chief Minister Shinde recently announced a survey by the State Backward Classes Commission to assess the educational, social and financial backwardness of the Maratha community.

The Supreme Court had struck down the Maharashtra law giving reservation to Marathas in admissions and government jobs in 2021.

The state government had filed a curative petition in the apex court against the decision.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)