{
  "id": 5093905,
  "title": "Pune: Manoj Jarange Supporters Block Katraj Chowk, Demand Immediate Action On Maratha Reservation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/pune-manoj-jarange-supporters-block-katraj-chowk-demand-immediate",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-02T12:55:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/pune/pune-manoj-jarange-supporters-block-katraj-chowk-demand-immediate-action-on-maratha-reservation"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pune traffic was halted on Wednesday as supporters of activist Manoj Jarange blocked Katraj Chowk to demand immediate action on Maratha reservation. The demonstrators gathered at the intersection, chanting slogans in support of Jarange and calling for the Maharashtra government to take swift steps to fulfill his demands. A large crowd, adorned in saffron attire and carrying banners, obstructed the road. This protest marked the fifth day of Jarange's indefinite hunger strike, during which his condition had reportedly worsened, prompting concerns among supporters and prompting Maratha groups across Maharashtra to hold protests and road blockades.\n\nDuring the demonstration, Rahul Kumar, a participant, stated, \"We seek our rights. We will not remain silent until we are granted them. The government must request Manoj Jarange to cease his hunger strike and grant reservation. The government must make a decision on our demands without further delay.\" Another participant, Yash Chavan, added, \"We are here to support Manoj Jarange. The government must comprehend the sentiments of the Maratha community and resolve the reservation issue promptly.\"\n\nThe protesters demanded the establishment of a system allowing eligible members of the Maratha community to obtain Kunbi certificates based on historical records and government documents, thereby enabling them to avail reservation benefits under the OBC category. Jarange has been urging the government to act on these demands, alongside other issues related to the Maratha reservation movement. The latest hunger strike, initiated on August 29 at Antarwali Sarati, aims to secure reservation for Marathas and the immediate issuance of Kunbi certificates based on gazette records. The protest in Pune occurred amidst a fresh confrontation between Jarange and the state government, which has prepared a draft on the reservation issue and invited Jarange to comment on it.\n\nMinisters Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Uday Samant revealed that the government was waiting for his response before moving forward. Moreover, the government reportedly gave Jarange a 24-hour deadline to clarify his position on the draft, adding to the escalating tension in the ongoing agitation. The Katraj mobilization also coincided with a separate OBC agitation initiated by Laxman Hake and his supporters from Pune district, opposing perceived threats to existing OBC reservation. The National OBC Federation distanced itself from the movement, stating that the demands were ambiguous. For the Katraj protesters, the primary focus remained on Jarange's agitation, with Ayush Patil declaring, \"We will stand with Jarange Patil until the government takes a clear stance on Maratha reservation. Our protest is peaceful, but the government should not disregard our demands.\" The organizers had also notified the Bharati Vidyapeeth police about the planned Katraj rasta roko, indicating arrangements would be made for public safety and traffic management due to the anticipated gathering, as per a letter obtained by The FPJ.",
  "summary": "Pune: Traffic movement at Katraj Chowk was disrupted on Wednesday after Maratha community members staged a rasta roko and sit-in protest in support of activist Manoj Jarange's ongoing agitation for Maratha reservation. The protesters gathered at Katraj Chowk, raised slogans in support of Jarange and demanded that the Maharashtra government immediately take concrete steps to fulfil his demands. A…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}