On 29 August 2023, Manoj Jarange began a hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district, Maharashtra, demanding reservation for Marathas. A police baton charge there on 1 September injured dozens of police and protesters and turned a local fast into a statewide movement. Six months of fasts, arson and marches followed, ending in a 10% Maratha quota law passed on 20 February 2024 that is still being challenged in the Bombay High Court.
Key takeaways
- Police baton-charged Manoj Jarange's hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati, Jalna, on 1 September 2023; officials say protesters had stopped them taking him to hospital.
- Reported injuries range from 18 to 79 police and 20 to 50 others, depending on who gave the count and when.
- Fadnavis apologised on 4 September 2023, the Jalna SP was sent on leave, and the Justice Sandeep Shinde committee began work on Kunbi certificates.
- On 30 October 2023 protesters burned MLAs' homes and offices in Beed; police reported 168 arrests statewide in a week.
- A draft "sage-soyare" notification (26 January 2024) and a separate 10% quota law (20 February 2024) followed. OBC leaders opposed the first; Jarange rejected the second; the law is still in court.
Background: why Marathas want a quota
The state government says Marathas are 28% of Maharashtra's population Tribune. In 2018 the Fadnavis government gave them 16% reservation in jobs and education. The Bombay High Court upheld it at a reduced level in 2019, and the Supreme Court struck it down in May 2021, citing the 50% ceiling on total reservations Scroll PTI via Business Standard.
Jarange, founder of the Shivba Sanghatana, demanded that Marathas be recognised as Kunbis, an agrarian caste already listed among the Other Backward Classes (OBC), so that they could get reservation inside the existing OBC quota without breaching the 50% cap Deccan Herald. Marathwada was part of the Nizam's Hyderabad state, and Nizam-era revenue and education records describe some families there as Kunbis Hitavada.
The Antarwali Sarati lathicharge, 1 September 2023
Jarange began his indefinite fast at Antarwali Sarati, on the Dhule-Solapur road in Ambad tehsil, on 29 August 2023 PTI via Business Standard. On 1 September police baton-charged the crowd and fired tear gas. Officials said the trouble began when police tried to move Jarange to hospital on doctors' advice and protesters refused to let them PTI via Deccan Herald.
Injury figures differ by source and date:
- Claim · Police sources On the day, at least 18 police personnel and officials, including Deputy SP Sachin Sangle, were hurt in stone pelting, and 20 protesters were hurt in the baton charge PTI via National Herald.
- Claim · Jalna SP SP Tushar Doshi told PTI the next day that "nearly 40 police personnel were injured" and that police used "plastic bullets and tear shells" PTI via Free Press Journal.
- Government's position On 8 December 2023 Fadnavis told the assembly in a written reply that 79 police personnel and 50 other persons were injured, and that police had used "mild force" PTI via Deccan Herald.
Police said protesters torched at least 15 state transport buses and some private vehicles. A case was registered at Gondi police station against 16 identified people and about 350 others, including under IPC section 307 (attempt to murder) PTI via Business Standard. By 3 September, 40 people had been arrested, according to police sources Deccan Herald.
Claim · Protesters Villagers said police fired rounds in the air, which officials did not confirm PTI via National Herald. Holding up a bullet, Jarange said: "These bullets were fired and we were lathi-charged inhumanly. Women were also beaten up" PTI via Free Press Journal.
Statewide reaction and the apology
Sharad Pawar and other leaders visited the village on 2 September, and opposition parties demanded Fadnavis's resignation as Home Minister Deccan Herald. Maratha outfits called bandhs in Nashik, which got a mixed response, and in Kalyan PTI via Deccan Herald PTI via Deccan Herald.
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar announced a high-level inquiry on 2 September All India Radio. On 3 September SP Doshi was sent on compulsory leave, two officers were transferred out of Jalna, and ADGP Sanjay Saxena was named to lead the probe Deccan Herald. On 4 September Fadnavis apologised:
Lathicharge by police was not right... I am apologising on behalf of the Maharashtra government.
Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM and Home Minister, 4 September 2023 (Hindustan Times via Scroll)
He said the order to use force was not given by any top official and that "such decisions... are taken at the local level" PTI via Deccan Herald. No published finding of the Saxena inquiry was found in the reporting reviewed.
The Kunbi route and the Shinde committee
On 6 September 2023 the cabinet decided that Marathwada Marathas with Nizam-era documents naming them as Kunbis would get Kunbi certificates. A five-member panel under retired judge Sandeep Shinde was asked to set the procedure within a month Hitavada. On 14 September Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited Antarwali Sarati and Jarange ended his fast, on its 17th day, with a glass of juice from him Hitavada All India Radio. Jarange gave a 40-day deadline, later fixed as 24 October Deccan Herald.
The cabinet accepted the committee's first report on 31 October and said issuing certificates had begun. It also asked the backward class commission to collect fresh data Hitavada. By early February 2024, 54 lakh Kunbi-Maratha and Maratha-Kunbi records had been found Deccan Herald.
October-November 2023: the second fast and arson in Beed
Jarange began a second indefinite fast on 25 October. On 30 October an audio clip went viral in which NCP MLA Prakash Solanke allegedly said the quota deadline had "become a child's game" and mocked Jarange. A crowd then set fire to his house and car in Majalgaon, and later to part of the municipal council building PTI via Deccan Herald PTI via Siasat. Solanke said he was inside and his family and staff were unhurt Deccan Herald.
That evening protesters set fire to the house and office of NCP MLA Sandeep Kshirsagar in Beed city and torched the home of former minister Jaydutt Kshirsagar. The NCP office in Beed was also set on fire PTI via Siasat Deccan Herald. BJP MLA Laxman Pawar of Georai and Shiv Sena MP Hemant Patil of Hingoli resigned in support of the demand Deccan Herald.
Beed Collector Deepa Mudhol Munde imposed a curfew within 5 km of the collector's office and taluka headquarters and along national highways, and internet services were shut in the district PTI via Siasat. A curfew was also imposed in parts of Dharashiv district Scroll.
Arrest figures, as reported:
- Beed: 49 agitators arrested by 31 October, per SP Nandkumar Thakur PTI via Outlook.
- Statewide: 141 offences registered and 168 people arrested between 24 and 31 October, per DGP Rajnish Seth, who put property damage at nearly Rs 12 crore Scroll.
Jarange appealed: "Don't engage in violence, arson or take extreme steps" Deccan Herald. When Shinde urged restraint, Jarange said the stir was peaceful and "first you should rein in your people" Hitavada. After an all-party meeting on 1 November, Shinde said such violence would be "a blot" on a disciplined agitation Scroll. On 2 November Jarange ended his nine-day fast after four ministers met him, and set a new deadline of 24 December Hitavada.
January 2024: the march and the "sage-soyare" notification
Jarange and his supporters left Antarwali Sarati on 20 January 2024 and reached the Vashi APMC market in Navi Mumbai at about 5 am on 26 January. Mumbai Police had refused permission for a hunger strike at Azad Maidan under section 149 of the CrPC PTI via National Herald. That night the government sent officials to Vashi with a draft.
The draft notification, issued on the night of 26 January under the state's 2000 caste certificate law, defined "sage-soyare" (blood relatives) as relatives through the applicant's paternal line and through marriages within the same caste Deccan Herald. In effect, relatives of Marathas with Kunbi records could also be recognised as Kunbis. On 27 January Shinde met Jarange at Vashi and Jarange ended his fast, saying his demands had been accepted PTI via Deccan Herald.
The notification was only a draft. BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said objections would be heard before any final decision PTI via Business Standard. Union minister Narayan Rane also opposed it Deccan Herald.
February 2024: the 10% SEBC Act
Jarange began another fast on 10 February to demand that the notification be made final Deccan Herald. On 20 February a special session unanimously passed the Maharashtra State Reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act, 2024, giving Marathas 10% reservation in jobs and education outside the OBC quota. It relied on the Justice (retd) Sunil Shukre-led backward class commission's finding of "extraordinary and exceptional" backwardness, and is to be reviewed after 10 years Tribune. Shinde said: "We want to grant reservation to the Maratha community without touching the existing quota of the OBCs."
Jarange rejected it and insisted on an OBC quota. On 25 February he alleged that Fadnavis was trying to kill him and said he would march to Fadnavis's home PTI via ETV Bharat. The next day internet services were suspended in Jalna, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Beed from 6 am to 4 pm, a curfew was imposed in Ambad taluka, and a state bus was set on fire in Tirthpuri PTI via Business Standard Scroll. Jarange ended the 17-day fast on 26 February. On 27 February Speaker Rahul Narwekar directed the government to form an SIT on his remarks PTI via National Herald.
The court challenge
Petitions say the SEBC Act breaches the Supreme Court's 50% ceiling and adds nothing new beyond a larger survey. The state says it has cured the earlier defects by showing "exceptional circumstances and extraordinary situations" with fresh data. An interim order of 16 April 2024 made admissions and recruitments under the Act subject to the final outcome Bar and Bench.
The first full bench was broken up when Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyaya was transferred. A second bench led by Justice Ravindra Ghuge heard the case from July 2025, until he became Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court. A third bench of Justices M S Karnik, N J Jamadar and Sandeep Marne began hearing it afresh on 9 October 2026 LiveLaw Bar and Bench. The state's curative petition against the 2021 ruling is pending in the Supreme Court LiveLaw.
Timeline
Fast begins
Jarange starts fasting at Antarwali Sarati PTI.
Lathicharge
Baton charge, tear gas, buses torched PTI.
Apology
Fadnavis apologises Scroll.
First fast ends
Shinde visits the village Hitavada.
Beed arson
Curfew and internet shutdown in Beed PTI.
Second fast ends
New deadline of 24 December Hitavada.
OBC rally
Bhujbal addresses OBC rally at Ambad PTI.
Sage-soyare draft
Jarange ends fast at Vashi PTI.
SEBC Act passed
10% separate quota Tribune.
SIT ordered
Speaker orders SIT on Jarange's remarks PTI.
The positions
Jarange and Maratha agitators
Marathas cite a decline in their finances after agrarian distress Scroll. Jarange wants a quota that "passes the test of the Supreme Court", meaning Kunbi certificates and OBC reservation Deccan Herald. He called the Jalna gathering peaceful and blamed the police PTI, demanded that cases against agitators be withdrawn Hitavada, and kept demanding an OBC quota after the separate 10% law was passed PTI.
OBC groups
At the 17 November 2023 Ambad rally, Bhujbal said: "We do not oppose Maratha reservation, but there should be no encroachment on the OBC quota." He asked how Kunbi records were "suddenly" being found and called for a caste census PTI via Business Standard. He called the sage-soyare draft an "eyewash" and a "backdoor entry" into the OBC quota Deccan Herald. In June 2024 OBC activists Laxman Hake and Navnath Waghmare fasted for 10 days at Wadigodri until the government assured them the OBC quota would not be diluted Deccan Herald.
State government
Government's position The government said it was committed to a quota that would stand in court, given "without any friction with other communities" Hitavada. Its approach had two tracks: Kunbi certificates for those with records, and the separate SEBC quota for the rest PTI via Business Standard. In February 2024 Shinde warned that "those who are protesting again and again against the government must not test our patience" Scroll.
Police
Claim · Police Officials say force at Antarwali Sarati followed stone pelting after protesters stopped officials from taking a fasting man to hospital on medical advice PTI via Business Standard. Fadnavis claimed police were "forced" to use the baton charge because of stone pelting PTI.
Outcome
- Injuries at Jalna: 18 to 79 police and 20 to 50 others, depending on the source and date.
- Cases: 360+ booked over Jalna; 141 offences statewide between 24 and 31 October 2023.
- Arrests: 40 over Jalna by 3 Sept 2023; 49 in Beed and 168 statewide by end-October 2023.
- Curfews and internet: Beed and parts of Dharashiv, October 2023; Ambad taluka plus a 10-hour internet cut in three districts, February 2024.
- Policy: Shinde committee and Kunbi certificates; draft sage-soyare notification (still not final in September 2024); SEBC Act, 2024 (10%).
- Court: SEBC Act challenge being reheard by a third bench from 9 October 2026.
What happened next
Jarange fasted again from 8 June 2024 and suspended it six days later, later complaining that "leaders belonging to my community are not with me" Deccan Herald. He began a sixth fast on 17 September 2024, still demanding that the sage-soyare draft be made final and that the Hyderabad, Satara and Bombay gazettes be used PTI via ETV Bharat. Shinde said the committees were "working on" the notification Deccan Herald. In August 2025 Jarange fasted at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, which led to a government resolution on Kunbi certificates based on the Hyderabad Gazette. That protest has its own page.
Questions people ask
What happened at Antarwali Sarati on 1 September 2023?
Police baton-charged Manoj Jarange's hunger strike gathering after, officials say, protesters stopped them taking him to hospital and threw stones. Counts range from 18 to 79 police and 20 to 50 others injured.
Did the government apologise for the Jalna lathicharge?
Yes. Fadnavis apologised on 4 September 2023 and said the decision was taken locally. The Jalna SP was sent on compulsory leave.
What is the sage-soyare notification?
A draft of 26 January 2024 treating blood relatives of Marathas with Kunbi records as Kunbis, eligible for OBC reservation. OBC leaders opposed it; Jarange was still demanding it be made final in September 2024.
What does the SEBC Act, 2024 do?
It gives Marathas 10% reservation in jobs and education outside the OBC quota. Passed unanimously on 20 February 2024, it is being challenged in the Bombay High Court for breaching the 50% cap.
Why do OBC groups oppose Kunbi certificates for Marathas?
Chhagan Bhujbal called it a "backdoor entry" that would dilute the OBC quota. He said OBCs did not oppose a Maratha quota, only "encroachment" on theirs.
Sources
- PTI via National Herald: Maratha quota agitation turns violent in Jalna district, 1 Sept 2023
- PTI via Business Standard: Case on 360 persons, activists firm on continuing agitation, 2 Sept 2023
- PTI via Free Press Journal: More than 360 booked for violence in Jalna, 2 Sept 2023
- All India Radio: High-level inquiry ordered, says Ajit Pawar, 2 Sept 2023
- Deccan Herald: Sharad Pawar, Udayanraje Bhosale reach Jalna, 2 Sept 2023
- Deccan Herald: Jalna SP sent on compulsory leave, 3 Sept 2023
- Deccan Herald: Govt committed to Maratha reservation, says Shinde, 3 Sept 2023
- PTI via Deccan Herald: Nashik bandh call gets mixed response, 3 Sept 2023
- PTI via Deccan Herald: Maratha Kranti Morcha calls bandh in Kalyan, 4 Sept 2023
- Scroll: Fadnavis apologises for police action against protesters in Jalna, 4 Sept 2023
- PTI via Deccan Herald: Govt regrets use of force by police, says Fadnavis, 4 Sept 2023
- Hitavada: Marathas with Nizam-era records to get Kunbi certificates, 7 Sept 2023
- Hitavada: Jarange ends hunger strike after Shinde meets him, 15 Sept 2023
- All India Radio: Jarange ends hunger strike after Shinde meeting, 14 Sept 2023
- Deccan Herald: Announce quota by October 24, Jarange tells Centre, state, 14 Oct 2023
- PTI via Deccan Herald: House of NCP MLA torched, 30 Oct 2023
- Deccan Herald: Maratha quota agitation turns violent in Maharashtra, 30 Oct 2023
- PTI via Siasat: Curfew in parts of Beed, internet services shut, 30 Oct 2023
- Hitavada: Jarange collapses, gets up to slam Govt, 31 Oct 2023
- PTI via Outlook: 49 arrested in Beed district, 31 Oct 2023
- Hitavada: Govt accepts Shinde panel report on procedure, 1 Nov 2023
- Scroll: 141 cases registered, 168 arrested, say police, 1 Nov 2023
- Hitavada: Jarange ends fast, asks govt to decide by Dec 24, 3 Nov 2023
- PTI via Business Standard: Bhujbal says Maratha quota should not be at OBCs' expense, 17 Nov 2023
- PTI via Deccan Herald: Govt to review demand to withdraw FIRs, says Fadnavis, 8 Dec 2023
- PTI via National Herald: Govt comes out with draft ordinance as march halts outside Mumbai, 27 Jan 2024
- PTI via Deccan Herald: Jarange breaks fast in presence of Shinde, 27 Jan 2024
- Deccan Herald: Strong voices rise within Maha Yuti against Maratha reservation, 28 Jan 2024
- PTI via Business Standard: Draft notification not final, leaders can submit objections, 31 Jan 2024
- Deccan Herald: Jarange threatens another hunger strike from February 10, 2 Feb 2024
- Tribune: Maharashtra Assembly approves 10% Maratha quota, 20 Feb 2024
- PTI via ETV Bharat: Fadnavis trying to kill me, says Jarange, 25 Feb 2024
- PTI via Business Standard: Internet services suspended in 3 districts, 26 Feb 2024
- Scroll: Curfew imposed in part of Jalna district, 26 Feb 2024
- PTI via National Herald: Speaker orders SIT probe into Jarange's remarks, 27 Feb 2024
- Deccan Herald: OBC protesters call off hunger strike, 23 June 2024
- Deccan Herald: No Maratha leader is with me, says Jarange, 25 June 2024
- Deccan Herald: Panels working on sage soyare notification, says Shinde, 17 Sept 2024
- PTI via ETV Bharat: Jarange begins sixth fast, 17 Sept 2024
- LiveLaw: Bombay High Court constitutes new bench, fresh hearing from October 9, 18 Sept 2026
- Bar and Bench: Maratha reservation case to be reheard for third time, 18 Sept 2026