Mumbai: Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange on Thursday accused the Maharashtra government of orchestrating a political conspiracy by cancelling Kunbi caste certificates issued to members of the Maratha community, alleging that the move was aimed at weakening the Maratha reservation movement. The state government, however, categorically denied any political interference, maintaining that caste scrutiny committees function independently under Supreme Court guidelines.
Addressing a press conference at Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district, Jarange claimed that several Kunbi caste certificates had been invalidated for political reasons and alleged that those opposed to the Maratha reservation movement had gained influence within the Chief Minister’s Office. He further accused Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule of directing officials to cancel the certificates, a charge strongly denied by the minister.
The controversy follows the cancellation of caste validity certificates of four elected women representatives from Marathwada. Among them are Prahar Janshakti Party’s Zilla Parishad member Jyoti Shinde from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, whose Kunbi claim was rejected for failing to establish documentary evidence of paternal blood relatives belonging to the Kunbi community. Gangapur municipal councillor Varsha Gaikwad also lost her certificate after scrutiny.
In Parbhani district, Komal Parve, a Zilla Parishad member affiliated with the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party, saw her Maratha-Kunbi claim rejected after the scrutiny committee reportedly found discrepancies in the documents submitted. Rekha Sarode, a councillor from Majalgaon municipality in Beed district, also had her caste certificate cancelled following complaints that it had been obtained using records linked to a similarly named family.
Jarange alleged that the government had initially facilitated the issuance of Kunbi certificates to Marathas only to later revoke them, targeting elected representatives and undermining the reservation movement. He warned that the Maratha community would take its “biggest revenge” in the 2029 Maharashtra Assembly elections if such actions continued. He also launched a sharp attack on Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, accusing him of playing a “double game” with the Maratha community and cautioning him against betraying the trust of Maratha voters.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissed the allegations, asserting that caste scrutiny committees operate strictly in accordance with Supreme Court directives and that the state government has no role in their decision-making. He said the rejection rate of caste certificates, including Kunbi and other OBC claims, generally ranges between 10 and 25 per cent depending on the quality of documentary evidence, adding that applicants have the right to appeal adverse decisions.
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule also rejected Jarange’s allegations, describing the caste scrutiny committee as a quasi-judicial body that functions independently of the government. He said neither ministers nor government officials have the authority to influence its decisions, which are based solely on documentary evidence. Bawankule noted that those aggrieved by the committee’s orders could challenge them before the Bombay High Court and seek interim relief, reiterating that there was no scope for political interference in the verification process. He also showed his assent for narco tests demanded by Jarange.
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