Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil continues hunger strike, calls 'Sage Soyare'

Manoj Jarange Patil, the activist who spearheads the Maratha quota movement, expressed mixed emotions about the Maratha Reservation Bill, which was passed by the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Tuesday. While acknowledging the effort, he contested the reservation structure as inadequate to meet the community's demands.

"We welcome the reservation but it falls short of what we deserve," declared Patil minutes after the bill's unanimous passage. He specifically objected to the provision limiting benefits to individuals with Nizam-era Kunbi caste certificates, arguing it excludes a vast majority.

Maharashtra Cabinet approved the draft of the bill for 10% Maratha reservation in education and government jobs.

Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil says, "This decision of the government has been taken by keeping election and votes in mind. This is a betrayal to… pic.twitter.com/gRkLK2sCTf

— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2024

Patil calls 'Sage Soyare'

Patil, who has been on a hunger strike, called for a Maratha community meeting on Wednesday and reiterated his demand for 'Sage Soyare,' a law recognizing all Marathas as Kunbis for reservation purposes. He claimed the current bill would benefit only a handful and urged broader inclusion.

He said, "I appeal to all maximum people to reach Antarvali sarati for the meet. I am firm on my demand to implement Sage Soyare. I welcome the reservation but the reservation which given are not as per our demand."

"I am demanding to implement 'Sage Soyare'. The next round of agitation will be announced tomorrow, says Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil.

Manoj Jarange Patil has removed the IV from his arm and he will continue his hunger strike protest. https://t.co/gKAaAn8fzy pic.twitter.com/M29VTRR6Od

— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2024

Government defends move

The Maharashtra government approved a bill on Tuesday to extend reservation to the Maratha community, surpassing the 50 percent cap, during a special session of the state legislature on Tuesday. The bill, granting a 10 percent quota to Marathas is similar to the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Act of 2018, previously introduced by the Mahayuti government under Eknath Shinde's leadership.

विधीमंडळ विशेष अधिवेशन | विधान परिषद 🗓️ 20-02-2024📍मुंबई
https://t.co/virCf34Nx7

— Eknath Shinde - एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) February 20, 2024

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde emphasized his commitment to all communities and clarified that the bill adheres to the Maratha Backward Class Commission report. He highlighted his promise to the community and thanked his team for delivering on it.

Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar acknowledged the cross-party support for Maratha reservation but declined to make political statements, stressing cooperation and fulfillment of promises.

Background and controversy

The bill seeks to provide a 10% reservation to Marathas, exceeding the 50% cap. This follows the Supreme Court's 2021 ruling striking down previous attempts due to exceeding the limit. The move draws on a recent report by the Maharashtra Backward Class Commission.