Manoj Jarange

Manoj Raosaheb Jarange (born 1 August 1982),^[1] also known as Manoj Jarange Patil, is an Indian Maratha quota reservation activist based in the state of Maharashtra, India.^[2]

Manoj Jarange Patil
Born	Manoj Raosaheb Jarange (1982-08-01) August 1, 1982 (age 42) Matori, Beed district, Maharashtra, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Social activist
Years active	2012–present
Children	One son and 3 daughters

Early life

Jarange, born in Maratha caste, is originally from the Matori village of Shirur Kasar (previously in Gevrai TQ.) tehsil in Beed district, settled in Shahagad.^[3] Jarange Patil and his wife Sumitra are blessed with 3 daughters and a son. He is the youngest of four brothers and lives with his mother and father.^[4] He joined the Maratha reservation movement 15 years ago. Later, he founded the Shivba Sanghatana (English translation: Shivaji organisation) to organize protests.^[5][6]

Activism

Jarange gained attention during a hunger strike in September 2023 at Antarwali-Sarathi village.^[7]

He led a protest march, part of the Maratha Kranti Morcha and Sakal Maratha Samaj, from his hometown in Jalna, originally intended for Azad Maidan in South Mumbai starting 26 January 2024. The aim was to advocate for expanding Kunbi Other Backward Class certification to Marathas, enabling them to access OBC benefits, including a 27 percent reservation in government jobs and education in the state.^[8] In continuation of the protest, Jarange-Patil began fasting in Vashi, Navi Mumbai. But it ended on January 27, 2024, when Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde assured that the Maratha community would receive OBC benefits until securing a reservation.^[9]

In popular culture

• Sangharsh Yoddha Manoj Jarange Patil, a 2024 Marathi-language film directed by Shivaji Doltade.^[10]
• Aamhi Jarange, a 2024 Marathi-language film starred Makarand Deshpande in the leading role.