Maratha Quota Stir: Jarange's Health Worsens, Agrees to IV Fluids

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange's health took a serious turn on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, the eleventh day of his indefinite hunger strike. His blood sugar levels plummeted significantly, leading him to finally agree to receive intravenous fluids.

The decision to accept medical treatment came around 2:30 a.m. following urgent phone calls from prominent Maharashtra leaders, including minister Uday Samant and MLA Prasad Lad. They assured Mr. Jarange that the State government would swiftly begin addressing his demands, with work commencing on Tuesday itself to find resolutions.

Mr. Jarange launched his latest hunger strike on August 29, advocating for the inclusion of the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. His core demands include the implementation of the Hyderabad and Satara Gazette records and the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Maratha community members.

The Kunbi community, traditionally agrarian, falls under the OBC category, granting access to reservation benefits in education and government employment.

Medical officials confirmed the severity of Mr. Jarange's condition. Dr. Shubham Rathod, a medical officer at the primary health centre in Wadigodri, reported that Mr.

Jarange's blood sugar level had dropped to a critical 66 mg/dL, and his weight had decreased from 52 kg to 45 kg.

He received four bottles of IV fluids by 7 a.m.

Despite his deteriorating health, Mr.

Jarange has not wavered in his resolve.

On Monday, September 7, 2026, he issued a powerful call to Marathas across major districts, including Pune, Thane, Nashik, and Mumbai, urging them to gather in full force at Antarwali Sarti on September 12.

Adding to the gravity of the situation, he issued a stern warning that Maharashtra would face a complete shutdown within ten minutes if any harm came to Maratha protesters.

#MarathaReservation #JarangeStrike #MaharashtraProtest #OBCQuota