The Maratha reservation issue, a long-standing and contentious topic in Maharashtra’s socio-political landscape, has seen significant developments in September 2025. The Maratha community, constituting approximately 28–32% of the state’s population, has been demanding inclusion in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category to access reservation benefits in education and government jobs. Led by activist Manoj Jarange Patil, the movement has intensified with protests, hunger strikes, and legal battles, culminating in significant actions in August and early September 2025. This article provides a detailed analysis of the latest news on Maratha Aarakshan, covering recent protests, government responses, legal challenges, political dynamics, and their broader implications, drawing on sources from web results and posts on X.
Background: The Maratha Reservation Movement
The demand for Maratha reservation dates back to the late 1990s, with the first major agitation in 2000. Over the decades, the movement has gained momentum, driven by economic distress, declining agricultural incomes, and limited job opportunities. The Marathas, historically a dominant agrarian and warrior caste, argue that their socio-economic conditions have deteriorated, justifying their inclusion as a Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC). The movement gained prominence in 2016 with massive silent marches organized by the Sakal Maratha Samaj, followed by intensified protests under Jarange Patil’s leadership since 2023.
In 2018, the Maharashtra government, under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, passed the SEBC Act, granting 16% reservation to Marathas. The Bombay High Court reduced this to 12% for education and 13% for jobs in 2019, but the Supreme Court struck it down in May 2021, citing insufficient empirical data to justify breaching the 50% reservation cap set by the 1992 Indra Sawhney judgment. In February 2024, the Maharashtra Assembly unanimously passed a new bill providing 10% reservation for Marathas under the SEBC category, pushing the state’s total reservation to 62%. This law, based on a Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission (MSBCC) report, faced legal challenges but was upheld provisionally by the Bombay High Court in June 2025, pending further review.
Latest Developments: Protests and Government Response
August–September 2025 Protests
The most significant recent development occurred on August 29, 2025, when Manoj Jarange Patil led a massive protest march to Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, demanding Maratha inclusion in the OBC category and the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to extended relatives (“sage soyare”). The march, described as the “final battle” by Jarange, began on August 26 from Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna, covering over 400 km and drawing thousands of supporters. The protest, coinciding with Ganeshotsav, disrupted South Mumbai, with over 20,000 protesters overwhelming police limits of 5,000 participants and five vehicles. Demonstrators halted BEST buses and jammed the Eastern Expressway, prompting the deployment of over 1,500 police personnel, including units from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF).
Jarange began an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan on August 29, accusing the Maharashtra government of “non-cooperation” and failing to fulfill promises made in January 2024. He demanded that all Marathas be recognized as Kunbis, an agrarian caste already listed under the OBC category, to secure reservation benefits. The protest saw tensions escalate when police attempted to clear vehicles, leading to minor clashes with demonstrators. Jarange urged supporters to maintain peace, emphasizing, “Do not indulge in stone-pelting or arson. Our fight must remain peaceful.”
Government and Political Reactions
The Maharashtra government, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has faced intense pressure to address the Maratha demands without disrupting existing OBC quotas. Shinde, in a November 2024 interview with CNBC-TV18, claimed his government “walked the talk” by granting the 10% SEBC reservation in February 2024, contrasting this with the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi’s (MVA) alleged inaction. He emphasized that the reservation does not encroach on other communities’ quotas, a point reiterated by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who has been a target of Jarange’s criticism.
On September 2, 2025, the state government responded to the Azad Maidan protests by forming a subcommittee under Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil to address Maratha demands. This followed a meeting between Shinde and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, indicating central government involvement. The subcommittee aims to resolve issues like the “sage soyare” draft notification, which proposes recognizing extended Maratha relatives as Kunbis, a move opposed by OBC activists fearing dilution of their quota.
Political leaders have taken varied stances. Sharad Pawar, head of the Nationalist Congress Party (SP), urged the central government on October 5, 2024, to raise the reservation cap to 75%, citing Tamil Nadu’s 69% quota as a precedent. Raj Thackeray of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), however, declared on November 6, 2024, that Maratha reservation is “legally impossible” without parliamentary amendments and Supreme Court approval, urging a focus on job creation over caste-based quotas. The opposition MVA, including Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), has been accused by BJP leaders of exploiting the issue for political gain, while Jarange has criticized all parties for failing the Maratha community.
Legal and Constitutional Challenges
The 10% Maratha reservation bill, passed in February 2024, remains under legal scrutiny. In June 2025, the Bombay High Court declined to stay its implementation, allowing Marathas to provisionally avail the quota in education and employment. The Supreme Court is set to hear a plea challenging the law in July 2026, following its 2021 ruling that struck down a similar reservation for exceeding the 50% cap. The MSBCC’s report, led by retired Justice Sunil Shukre, justifies the reservation by highlighting Maratha backwardness, including 94% of farmer suicides in Maharashtra being from the community and 21.22% of Maratha families holding below-poverty-line ration cards.
However, petitions filed by advocates like Jaishri Patil argue that the bill violates constitutional principles by breaching the 50% cap without sufficient justification. Critics also contend that classifying Marathas as SEBC, separate from OBCs, creates a parallel reservation system that could destabilize existing quotas. The “sage soyare” notification has further fueled tensions, with OBC leaders like Chhagan Bhujbal warning against encroachment on their benefits.
Socio-Economic Context and Community Dynamics
The Maratha reservation movement is rooted in economic distress, particularly in rural Maharashtra. The MSBCC report cites declining agricultural incomes, land fragmentation, and inadequate representation in public services as key factors. Marathas, traditionally landholders, face challenges from the agrarian crisis, with soyabean prices falling below the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and limited industrial growth in regions like Marathwada.
The movement has also sparked tensions with OBC communities, who fear that including Marathas in their quota will reduce opportunities. Jarange’s insistence on Kunbi certificates has been met with counter-protests by OBC activists like Navnath Waghmare, who argue that Marathas already benefit from the 10% Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota. A tragic incident in Pune in June 2024, where a 38-year-old man died by suicide over the reservation issue during a Facebook Live session, underscores the emotional toll of the prolonged struggle.
Impact on Maharashtra’s Political Landscape
With Maharashtra Assembly elections looming in November 2025, the Maratha reservation issue has become a political flashpoint. Jarange, who briefly considered fielding candidates but withdrew to focus on activism, has vowed to defeat anti-reservation parties, particularly targeting Fadnavis, whom he accuses of controlling the government and neglecting Maratha interests. The Mahayuti coalition (BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP) faces pressure to resolve the issue to retain Maratha votes, while the MVA seeks to capitalize on discontent. The protests have also strained relations between Marathas and OBCs, potentially reshaping electoral alliances.
Future Prospects and Recommendations
The resolution of the Maratha reservation issue hinges on balancing legal, social, and political considerations. Key recommendations include:
Legal Clarity: The Maharashtra government must strengthen the empirical basis for the 10% quota to withstand Supreme Court scrutiny, possibly by expanding the MSBCC’s survey data.
Dialogue with Stakeholders: Engaging Maratha and OBC leaders in transparent discussions, as proposed by Sharad Pawar’s call for an all-party meeting, could reduce tensions.
Economic Interventions: Addressing root causes like the agrarian crisis through MSP reforms and industrial development could alleviate Maratha demands for reservation.
Timely Implementation: The government should expedite the “sage soyare” notification while ensuring it does not disrupt OBC quotas, possibly by exploring a hybrid SEBC-OBC model.
Conclusion
As of September 3, 2025, the Maratha Aarakshan movement remains a pivotal issue in Maharashtra, driven by Manoj Jarange Patil’s relentless protests and the government’s efforts to navigate legal and political challenges. The August 29 Azad Maidan march and hunger strike have intensified pressure on the Mahayuti government, which has responded with a subcommittee to address demands. However, legal battles, OBC opposition, and electoral dynamics complicate the path forward. The 10% SEBC reservation, while a significant step, faces scrutiny, and the movement’s outcome will shape Maharashtra’s socio-political future. By addressing economic distress and fostering inclusive dialogue, the government can move toward a sustainable resolution, ensuring equity for Marathas without undermining other communities.
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