Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil has revealed his plans to embark on a comprehensive statewide tour within the next week, concluding by December 24. His primary objective is to ensure that the government provides Kunbi caste certificates to all Marathas within the specified timeframe.
Patil had earlier concluded his nine-day hunger strike on November 2 after a productive discussion with a government delegation. During this dialogue, he emphasized the urgency of granting Kunbi caste certificates to all Marathas by December 24. However, the state government requested an extension until January 2 to fulfill this demand.
In light of the government’s response, Patil has outlined a series of hunger strikes scheduled to commence on December 1, to be organized in every village across the state. These protests are intended to be peaceful and seek to draw attention to the Maratha community’s concerns. Patil emphasized, “We have given the government time until December 24. Additionally, the details of the statewide tour will be announced in the next few days. During this tour, we will visit various regions and engage with members of the Maratha community.”
Patil further revealed that government representatives have assured him that a government delegation will meet with him to provide a draft of the timeline and outline the measures taken by the government to implement the reservation in the next two months.
Following the conclusion of his hunger strike after the meeting with the government delegation in Antarwali Saarathi village, located in Ambad tehsil in Jalna district, Patil was transferred to a hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar for medical treatment and a thorough medical examination.
In a significant development, the state government issued a Government Resolution on Friday, expanding the jurisdiction of the Justice Sandeep Shinde committee to encompass the entire state. The committee will examine historical records and issue Kunbi certificates to Marathas who possess Nizam era (pre-1967) government documents identifying them as Kunbi Maratha or Maratha Kunbi. Previously, the Justice Shinde committee’s authority to process and grant Kunbi certificates was limited to the Marathwada region of Maharashtra.
Additionally, the Chief Minister has instructed the establishment of dedicated units in every district to verify Kunbi Maratha and Maratha Kunbi certificates. The implementation of this directive has already commenced in many districts.