Overview
- Jarange-Patil, speaking Saturday in Antarwali Sarati, said he will start an indefinite hunger strike on May 30 if the state fails to distribute Kunbi caste certificates in Marathwada by May 29.
- He pressed for immediate use of Satara and Aundh gazette records to grant Kunbi status, which would place Marathas in the Other Backward Classes category for jobs and education.
- The activist alleged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis halted issuance of Kunbi certificates and urged the state to release documents tied to about 58 lakh records flagged by officials.
- His push follows a September 2 order that implemented the Hyderabad Gazette, while promised orders to act on Satara and other former princely-state gazettes have not been issued despite cabinet panel directions.
- A cabinet decision this week that bars reserved-category candidates who use exam relaxations from taking open-category jobs became a fresh flashpoint, with Jarange criticizing the move and BJP MLA Prasad Lad calling his planned fast political.