Maratha reservation leader Manoj Jarange has promised that Marathas across Maharashtra will receive reservation benefits within a year, asserting that action will intensify once the election code of conduct is lifted. Jarange made the vow while addressing a meeting of the Chhava Maratha Kranti Mission at Pangri in Sinnar taluka on Thursday, a gathering attended by descendants of Rajmata Jijau and regional movement figures.
Maratha reservation in Maharashtra gains renewed momentum
Jarange told supporters that recent developments — notably references to a Hyderabad Gazette — have already enabled Maratha communities in Vidarbha and Marathwada to access reservation benefits. He said the current lull in protests is attributable to the model code of conduct imposed ahead of a string of elections, but pledged renewed mobilisation in western Maharashtra once those restrictions end.
“We will secure reservation for Marathas across the state within a year,” Jarange said, stressing that the campaign will proceed through legal and political channels rather than violent confrontation. He appealed to community leaders, saints and social organisations to support the movement’s messaging and to discourage divides driven by caste rivalry.
Addressing critics who label the reservation campaign as casteist, Jarange argued that demands for reservation are aimed at securing opportunities for impoverished children and should not be dismissed as divisive. He cautioned against those attempting to derail the movement by mischaracterising its objectives and urged religious and social figures to lead public education on the issue.
Speakers at the meeting included Shivaji Raje Jadhav, a descendant of Jijau, who highlighted efforts by the Chhava Bharat Kranti Mission to spread the teachings of Chhatrapati Shivaji and Sambhaji across the country. Dr Vilas Pangarkar, the mission’s president, emphasised a wider social agenda that includes steering youth away from substance abuse while promoting historical awareness.
Jarange recounted the pressures the movement has faced, saying leaders had been offered inducements and had received threats, yet remained steadfast. “We have not faltered,” he said, underlining that the reservation struggle will continue with honesty and determination.
The Sinnar meeting comes amid tense political manoeuvring in Nashik and broader Maharashtra, where ticket distribution and factional disputes have unsettled party workers. Jarange’s assurance of concentrated action in western Maharashtra signals a tactical shift from sporadic protests to targeted political campaigning once electoral constraints ease.
Observers say the Maratha reservation issue remains a potent force in Maharashtra politics. While parts of the state have secured benefits under administrative provisions, the demand for a uniform, state-wide settlement persists. Jarange’s timeline — a year — sets clear expectations for supporters and political rivals alike, and is likely to sharpen debate ahead of upcoming polls.
As the campaign prepares to resume public activity, leaders face the dual challenge of consolidating support and responding to legal and constitutional hurdles. The role of community institutions and faith leaders, Jarange suggested, will be crucial in framing the movement as a call for social justice rather than sectional advantage.
Political parties and civil society will be monitoring developments closely, mindful that the issue could influence electoral dynamics and governance priorities across Maharashtra.
Key Takeaways:
- Maratha leader Manoj Jarange pledges to secure Maratha reservation across Maharashtra within a year.
- Jarange says areas of Vidarbha and Marathwada have already benefited from the Hyderabad Gazette; moves in western Maharashtra will follow once the election code is lifted.
- The movement faces accusations of caste politics but leaders call for unity and moral guidance from religious figures.
- Jarange reiterates commitment despite pressures, saying the struggle will continue with honesty and determination.
