Manoj Jarange's Defiance: The Maratha Quota Agitation and the Demand for Kunbi Status in Mumbai

The quest for reservation for the Maratha community in Maharashtra has been a recurring and often volatile issue in the state’s political landscape. The recent phase of this agitation, led by activist Manoj Jarange-Patil, escalated dramatically with a massive gathering in Mumbai and an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan. This powerful display of community solidarity and political pressure sought to compel the state government to act decisively on the demand for a 10% quota. Jarange's steadfast refusal to leave the protest site, despite police notices citing violations of protest conditions, highlighted the gravity of the situation and the depth of the community's frustration. This article delves into the demands, the events leading to the breakthrough, the government's response, and the broader socio-political implications of this significant agitation.

The Core Demand: Kunbi Status for Marathas

The central pillar of Jarange's agitation was the demand for the Maratha community to be recognized as Kunbis, thus granting them access to the reservation benefits enjoyed by the Other Backward Classes.

The Kunbi caste is an agrarian community that is already part of the OBC category in Maharashtra. Historically, and particularly in regions like Marathwada (which was once part of the Nizam's Hyderabad State), documents exist that classify many Marathas as Kunbis. Jarange and his supporters insisted that this historical linkage should be formally recognized to provide reservation.

The activist demanded the immediate implementation of the Hyderabad and Satara gazettes, which contain historical records supporting the Maratha-Kunbi connection. This move would simplify the process for members of the Maratha community, especially those from Marathwada, to obtain Kunbi caste certificates and avail themselves of the OBC quota benefits.

The Mumbai Protest and the Azad Maidan Standoff

The agitation reached a critical stage when thousands of Maratha community members, following Jarange-Patil, arrived in Mumbai from various parts of Maharashtra.

The initial protest and indefinite hunger strike began at Azad Maidan, a historical site for public gatherings in South Mumbai. The sheer number of protesters and the subsequent disruption to public life, including major traffic congestion and occupation of areas like the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), quickly brought the city to a standstill. This massive influx of agitators, determined to stay until their demands were met, put immense pressure on the state administration.

The Mumbai Police subsequently issued notices directing Jarange and his supporters to vacate Azad Maidan, citing violations of the initial terms and conditions of the protest, which included limits on the number of attendees and maintaining public order. The Bombay High Court also intervened, observing that the city had been "literally paralysed" and directed the protesters to vacate and clean up the streets.

Manoj Jarange's defiant response was that he would not leave Mumbai until the government formally issued the necessary Government Resolutions (GRs) accepting the quota demands. He hardened his stance, stating he would even stop taking water and would continue his hunger strike "even if he dies," asserting the constitutional validity of his demand and accusing the government of deliberately delaying the decision. His refusal to back down transformed the Azad Maidan into a symbol of the community's resolve.

Government Response and the Historic Breakthrough

Faced with mounting pressure from the continued hunger strike, the massive public gathering, and the intervention of the Bombay High Court, the Maharashtra government initiated formal talks.

A cabinet sub-committee on the Maratha quota, headed by a senior minister, was dispatched to Azad Maidan to engage in a dialogue with Jarange-Patil. After intense deliberations, the government accepted several key demands put forth by the activist.

The major breakthrough was the government's agreement to implement the Hyderabad Gazette and to form committees to simplify the process of issuing Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas with historical documentary evidence of their Kunbi lineage. This was a direct concession that acknowledged the ancestral link between Marathas and Kunbis, paving the way for reservation under the OBC category for those who could provide proof.

The government also committed to:

• Withdrawing all criminal cases filed against Maratha quota protesters.
• Providing compensation and jobs to the families of those who had lost their lives during the agitation.
• Expediting the process for the implementation of the Satara and Pune-Aundh gazettes and for resolving the legal complexities surrounding the "sage-soyare" (blood relatives) notification, which sought to extend Kunbi status based on family ties.

Conclusion of the Hunger Strike and Declaration of Victory

Following the government's acceptance of six of his eight demands and the presentation of a formal Government Resolution (GR) on the implementation of the Hyderabad Gazette, Manoj Jarange-Patil announced a "historical win" and called off his five-day-long indefinite hunger strike.

He broke his fast and assured his supporters that the protest would be withdrawn, and they would vacate Azad Maidan once the formal GRs were issued. The government’s move, particularly on the Hyderabad Gazette, was a significant step toward addressing the long-standing demand for reservation by linking Marathas to the OBC-listed Kunbi caste.

However, the matter is not entirely resolved. The government's decision, while meeting Jarange's immediate demands, faces opposition from certain OBC leaders who fear that the inclusion of Marathas would dilute their existing quota. The government, on its part, has sought to allay these fears by assuring that the existing OBC quota would remain untouched, emphasizing that reservation will be granted on an individual basis with documentary proof, and not as a blanket reservation for the entire Maratha community. This delicate balance and the subsequent legal and social challenges will define the future of the Maratha quota in Maharashtra.

FAQ's

Q1. What is the main demand of the Maratha quota agitation led by Manoj Jarange-Patil?

A. The main demand is for the Maratha community to be classified as Kunbis, which is an agrarian caste already included in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. This classification would make Marathas eligible for reservation benefits in government jobs and education under the OBC quota.

Q2. Why did Manoj Jarange refuse to vacate Azad Maidan in Mumbai?

A. Jarange-Patil refused to vacate Azad Maidan, defying police and court notices, as a strong measure of protest to compel the Maharashtra government to issue formal Government Resolutions (GRs) immediately accepting all the Maratha quota demands. He had vowed not to leave the city until the reservation demand was met.

Q3. What is the significance of the Hyderabad Gazette in the Maratha quota issue?

A. The Hyderabad Gazette contains historical records from the Marathwada region (which was part of the erstwhile Hyderabad State) that document Marathas as Kunbis. The government agreed to implement this gazette to simplify the process for Marathas from this region to obtain Kunbi caste certificates, thereby granting them OBC status and reservation benefits.

Q4. Did the government accept all of Manoj Jarange's demands?

A. The Maharashtra government accepted six of Jarange-Patil's eight demands, which included implementing the Hyderabad Gazette for Kunbi certificates, withdrawing cases against protesters, and providing compensation to the families of victims. Notably, the demand for a blanket reservation for all Marathas as Kunbis, without documentary evidence, was not immediately accepted due to legal complexities.

Q5. How did the government plan to ensure the Maratha quota does not affect the existing OBC reservation?

A. The government assured OBC leaders that the existing OBC quota would remain "untouched." It clarified that reservation would not be a blanket one for the entire Maratha community but would be provided to individuals who can produce historical documentary proof, based on the gazettes, that their family or ancestors were recorded as Kunbis.