Mumbai, October 5 – Maharashtra’s Congress leaders slammed Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil for his push to expand the state’s reservation list.
During a heated exchange, Vijay Wadettiwar called the activist a threat to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community, telling reporters that the government’s move could wipe out the 374 OBC categories in the state.
The debate comes after the Maharashtra government issued a September 2 resolution to grant Kunbi certificates to Marathas. Many OBC groups fear the order will let Marathas claim OBC reservation, shifting jobs, education, and government positions away from existing OBC beneficiaries.
Jarange had led a hunger strike in Mumbai’s Azad‑Maidan last month. The government agreed to six of his eight demands, but the core issue remains: does the new Kunbi policy broaden the OBC list?
Wadettiwar gathered with OBC leaders on Sunday and met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. They submitted a memorandum demanding the back‑date cancellation of the September 2 order and flagged the potential loss of OBC quota space. The group announced an upcoming protest march in Nagpur on October 10 to pressure the government.
Speaking to reporters, Wadettiwar said the meeting’s goal was clear: overturn the resolution.
“We warned that this order will destroy the 374 OBC categories and that the government is trying to convince us it won’t hurt the poor. It will actually reduce jobs and opportunities for OBC families,” he said.
He targeted Jarange’s rhetoric, accusing him of calling for the elimination of OBCs. “Jarange wants to remove our 350+ castes and even mentions an AK‑47. He should be arrested for hate speech,” Wadettiwar added.
The congress leader clarified that his opposition isn’t to reservation for the poor, but to Marathas joining the OBC list. “If Marathas get added, OBCs will disappear from jobs and education,” he warned.
Wadettiwar demands that the September 2 order be scrapped, all questionable Kunbi certificates be voided, and a comprehensive white paper be published on the certificates issued since 2015.
The government’s earlier talks with Jarange‑Patil produced several concessions, led by a cabinet sub‑committee under Vikhe‑Patil. Measures include withdrawing cases against Maratha activists, compensating families of protest‑related deaths, offering jobs for eligible Maratha relatives, and creating village‑level scrutiny committees to vet Kunbi certificate applications. The state has also agreed to outline a clear process for issuance and quick clearance through a caste verification committee.
As Maharashtra’s political landscape tightens, the conflict over the Maratha quota and OBC reservation will likely dominate headlines in the coming weeks.
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