Manoj Jarange, a Maratha activist, initiated an indefinite hunger strike on June 8 at Antarwali Sarathi for the Maratha reservation, focusing on the implementation of "Sage Soyari" and obtaining a reservation from the OBC.
Manoj Jarange-Patil initiated his first hunger strike from August 29 to September 14, 2023, and continued to protest throughout the state. His hunger strike ended on November 2, after a government delegation convinced him of the progress made. In January 2024, he marched from Antarwali Sarathi in Jalna to Navi Mumbai. On January 26, 2024, he initiated another fast-unto-death agitation. However, he withdrew on January 27, 2024, after Eknath Shinde's draft notification defined "sage-soyare" (blood relations) in the "Maharashtra Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, De-notified Tribes (Vimukta Jatis), Nomadic Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and Special Backward (Regulation of Issuance and Verification of) Caste Certificate Act, 2000" and defined "sage-soyare" (blood relations). On February 10, 2024, he launched another round of hunger strike, which ended on February 26, 2024. Manoj Jarange's hunger strike has now reached its fourth day, and his health has deteriorated. He has refused to seek medical treatment.
Jarange has warned the government to implement measures to prevent disruption of the Legislative Assembly and intends to field candidates in the Maharashtra assembly elections. He claims the ruling Mahayuti government and Maha Vikas Aghadi have misled him by not providing Maratha reservation and not doing anything. However, police and three villages denied Jarange's permission to hold a strike, but Jarange remains stubborn in his protest.
