Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas: The Maharashtra government on Tuesday, 2 September, issued a Government Resolution (GR) to set up a special committee that will enable eligible members of the Maratha community to obtain Kunbi caste certificates. The move, based on the Hyderabad gazette, is a way to integrate a section of the Maratha population into the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, thereby allowing them access to reservation benefits.
The announcement followed intense negotiations with Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange, who ended his hunger strike after the GR was presented by a state-appointed sub-committee.
OBC activists cry foul
While the decision brought relief to Maratha leaders, OBC groups reacted sharply, calling the GR a “backdoor entry” for Marathas into the OBC quota. Prominent OBC leader and cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal stressed that while genuine Kunbis should not be deprived, the verification process must be transparent. “If the process is shoddy at the village level, our organisations will start a statewide protest,” Bhujbal warned, as quoted by Times of India.
Several activists declared their intention to challenge the GR in court. Laxman Hake described the move as unjust, arguing that it would dilute OBC representation in education and jobs. Mangesh Sasane labelled the resolution “unconstitutional,” pointing out that the vague wording could allow many Marathas to claim Kunbi status without proper documentation. “The GR only mentions relatives instead of specifying blood relatives. This loophole will disturb our quota. We will challenge it in court,” Sasane said.
Hunger strikes and street protests
Meanwhile, despite Jarange calling off his fast, OBC activists continued their agitation across the state. In Jalna’s Antarwali Sarati, protesters including Vitthal Talekar and Balasaheb Dakhane maintained their hunger strike, demanding that the GR be withdrawn and a white paper published on all Kunbi certificates issued over the last two years. “The government has betrayed us,” said OBC leader Baliram Khatke, criticising the state for allegedly prioritising Maratha demands while sidelining OBC concerns.
In Nagpur, National OBC Federation president Baban Taywade vowed to continue protests at Constitution Square until the government deputed representatives for talks and considered their 13-point charter. Similarly, youth groups accused the Shinde committee of ignoring “real OBCs” while favouring Marathas. The continuation of protests, both in urban centres and rural pockets, signals a growing rift between Marathas and OBC communities.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attempted to reassure OBC groups, stating that their quota would not be compromised. However, his appeal for them to withdraw their agitation went unheeded. With multiple organisations preparing legal challenges and others threatening mass protests, the political and social ramifications of the GR could deepen.