Wed Sep 03 08:27:38 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Activist Vinod Patil has criticized the Maharashtra government’s recent Government Resolution (GR) aimed at granting Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Maratha community members as “completely useless.” The GR was issued following a hunger strike by Maratha quota movement leader Manoj Jarange. Patil claims the GR will not benefit the community significantly because it requires documentary proof of Kunbi lineage, which many Marathas lack. He argues the government hasn’t addressed the core demand of granting OBC status to Marathas without such proof. Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil defended the GR, stating the government accepted major demands, including recognizing Marathas and Kunbis as one. However, Vinod Patil remains unconvinced and expresses disappointment, calling the GR a mere “piece of paper.”
**News Article:**
**Maratha Quota GR Slammed as “Useless” by Activist, Sparking Renewed Controversy**
**Mumbai, September 3, 2025:** A Government Resolution (GR) aimed at resolving the long-standing Maratha quota issue in Maharashtra has been met with sharp criticism, with activist Vinod Patil branding it “completely useless.” The GR, issued following a hunger strike by Maratha quota movement leader Manoj Jarange, proposes granting Kunbi caste certificates to Maratha community members with historical evidence of Kunbi lineage. Kunbis are classified as Other Backward Class (OBC) in the state.
Patil, who has been a prominent voice in the Maratha quota movement, argued the GR fails to address the needs of Marathas lacking the necessary documentary proof. “The truth is, not a single certificate will come out of this GR,” he stated in Chattrapati Sambhajinagar. “Those without documentary proof of Kunbi lineage will never gain anything. That is why I am calling this decision a big disappointment.”
Patil accused senior BJP minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who heads the cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservation, of failing to adequately explain the GR’s intent and take responsibility for the government’s promises.
In response, Minister Vikhe Patil defended the GR, highlighting that the government has accepted Jarange’s major demands, including implementing relevant gazetteers, withdrawing police cases against protesters, and providing financial aid to families affected by previous agitations. He assured the community that its interests would not be compromised and stated the government has sought two months to finalize a GR recognizing Marathas and Kunbis as one.
Despite these assurances, Vinod Patil remains unconvinced, labeling the GR a mere “piece of paper” and expressing regret that he could not pay tribute to the Maratha protesters who have died during the quota struggle. His comments are likely to reignite debate and potentially trigger further unrest as the Maratha community continues to seek greater representation and opportunity. The situation remains fluid, and the state government faces mounting pressure to deliver on its promises and address the concerns of all stakeholders.
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