Mumbai/Nagpur, September 3, 2025 :- In a major breakthrough on the Maratha reservation issue, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday announced that Marathas will be able to obtain Kunbi caste certificates—making them eligible for OBC quota benefits—on the basis of entries in the 1918 Hyderabad Gazetteer.
The government has issued a new Resolution (GR) enabling Kunbi certificates for those who can provide verifiable proof that they or their ancestors were identified as Kunbis in the Gazetteer. Verification will be conducted by village-level committees comprising the gram revenue officer, gram panchayat secretary, and assistant agriculture officer. Applicants without land records may submit affidavits proving ancestral residence prior to October 13, 1967.
The Hyderabad Gazetteer, prepared under the Nizam’s rule, historically classified Marathas and Kunbis together, particularly in Marathwada. The state also plans to extend the same approach to other historical records, such as the Satara Gazetteer.
The announcement prompted activist Manoj Jarange Patil to end his five-day hunger strike at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan on September 2, marking a significant pause in the long-running agitation for Maratha quota.
However, opposition from OBC groups continues. Critics argue that the GR could become a “backdoor entry” for Marathas into the OBC category, diluting benefits for existing communities. Several OBC organizations are demanding a white paper and stronger assurances to protect current reservation quotas, with protests still ongoing in different parts of the state.
Key Takeaways:
Legal Pathway: Marathas can claim Kunbi status using the 1918 Hyderabad Gazetteer.
Verification: Local committees to scrutinize applications; affidavits allowed where land records are missing.
Agitation Ends: Manoj Jarange Patil calls off his hunger strike after the GR.
Ongoing Opposition: OBC groups warn of dilution, press for transparency and safeguards.
