Manoj Jarange is a prominent activist from Maharashtra, India, who has been at the forefront of the movement demanding Maratha reservation in government jobs and education. His demands have been primarily focused on securing reservation for the Maratha community under the Other Backward Class (OBC) category.

Key Demands of Manoj Jarange:

Maratha Reservation under OBC Quota:

• Jarange is demanding that the Maratha community be granted reservation under the OBC category in Maharashtra. This includes reservations in government jobs, educational institutions, and other government benefits similar to those provided to other communities classified under the OBC category.
• Immediate Implementation:
• He has called for the immediate implementation of this reservation, arguing that the Maratha community faces socio-economic disadvantages and needs affirmative action to improve its status.
• Government Commitment
• Jarange is pressing for a firm commitment from the Maharashtra government to make the necessary legal and administrative changes to include Marathas under the OBC quota, and he demands that this should be done without any further delay.
• Clarity and Transparency:
• He has also demanded clarity from the government on the status of the Maratha reservation issue, as previous efforts to secure reservation for the Marathas have been met with legal challenges and uncertainty.
• Withdrawal of Cases Against Protesters:
• In addition to reservation, Jarange has asked for the withdrawal of criminal cases filed against protesters and activists involved in the Maratha reservation movement over the years.
• Government Action on Justice Gaikwad Commission Report:
• He insists that the Maharashtra government act on the recommendations made by the Justice Gaikwad Commission, which studied the socio-economic conditions of the Maratha community and provided a basis for recommending reservation.
• Permanent and Sustainable Solution:
• Jarange is seeking a permanent solution that withstands legal scrutiny and ensures that the Maratha community’s demand for reservation is met without being struck down by courts, as has happened in the past.

Background:

• Context of the Maratha Reservation Demand:
• The Maratha community, which constitutes a significant portion of Maharashtra’s population, has been seeking reservation benefits for several years, citing socio-economic backwardness.
• In 2018, the Maharashtra government passed a law providing 16% reservation for Marathas under a separate Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) category. However, this law was struck down by the Supreme Court of India in 2021, which ruled that it breached the 50% cap on reservations and lacked evidence of the community’s backwardness.
• Since the Supreme Court’s decision, there has been renewed agitation by various Maratha leaders and activists, including Manoj Jarange, to press the government for inclusion under the OBC category.