Manoj Jarange calls off 20-day-old fast, gives three months’ ‘ultimatum’ to government

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Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil. File | Photo Credit: PTI

Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil ended his 20-day hunger strike on Thursday (September 17, 2026) after discussions with a Mahayuti government delegation, giving the State a 3-month ultimatum to meet his demands.

“We won’t stop without getting what we want. We will give the government more time and have been fighting for three years, and we will show trust for three more months,” said Mr. Jarange Patil after speaking to the delegation, including Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Minister Dadaji Bhuse and MLAs Prasad Lad and Suresh Dhas.

The government has agreed to issue certificates based on 58 lakh Kunbi entries and other demands. “They have found eateries and, based on these numbers, names in gazettes,” said Mr. Jarange Patil, adding that a lot of complex work needs to be done at the government’s end.

He acknowledged the government’s agreement to revise the government resolution (GR) on the issuance of Kunbi certificates and requested discussions with the Tehsildar and other officials responsible for issuing them.

Warning the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led government, he said that if the demands are not fulfilled within three months, then the protest will be taken to Mumbai.

Mr. Vikhe Patil said that it will take around three to four months to act on the Kolhapur and Satara gazette after a written comment is received from the advocate general. “Respecting the request of the State Government, Manoj Jarange Patil has ended his hunger strike,” said MLA Prasad Lad at Patoda in Beed district.

Mr. Jarange Patil ended his 20-day indefinite hunger strike late Wednesday night. He initiated the strike on August 29 in Antarwali Sarati village, located in the Jalna district, demanding official recognition of historical records such as the Hyderabad Gazette, Satara Gazette, and Aundh Gazette for Marathas to prove their Kunbi lineage and obtain “sage soyre” reservation under the OBC category.

This marks the end of Mr. Jarange Patil’s 11th strike in the last three years. On Wednesday (September 16, 2026), he reiterated that he would reach Mumbai alone on Friday (September 18, 2026) to lead the hunger strike. However, in the meantime, he stated that the government has sent a draft proposal, “softening its position”, to call off the strike, as the State is in the midst of the Ganeshotsav celebrations.

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