![Parbhani [Maharashtra], Aug 30 (ANI): Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil speaks to media during his protest demanding Kunbi caste certificates for eligible Marathas and calls for the cancellation of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's event, in Parbhani on Sunday. (ANI Video Grab) (ANI Video Grab)](/cdn-cgi/image/onerror=redirect,width=640,height=640,format=webp/https://storage.googleapis.com/uploads.mongoosehq.com/url/media/174391951/75e8a41ab7069c99f89ea34e0d3447a7f9d4af22905d97571f18c87fd19fbfcc)
Overview
- The hunger strike, which entered its eighth day on Saturday, has escalated after Manoj Jarange-Patil refused water, intravenous fluids and any medical treatment to press his demands.
- Jarange is demanding immediate issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas based on about 58 lakh records so community members can claim benefits under the Other Backward Classes quota.
- A Maharashtra ministerial delegation has met Jarange and the government says it has traced the records and will expedite certificates, but activists say no on-the-ground issuance or verification process has actually started.
- Supporters have enforced roadblocks and shutdowns in parts of Marathwada and OBC leaders have mounted a counter-stir near the protest site, raising the risk of local clashes and wider mobilisation before September 12.
- Past court rulings that struck down separate Maratha quotas and India’s roughly 50% reservation ceiling explain why activists now seek OBC inclusion, a change that would affect job and education access and could reshape local political reservations.