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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

Maratha quota stir poised for revival

Manoj Jarange issues August ultimatum as CM cites record certificate distribution Mumbai: Maharashtra is bracing for renewed political turbulence as the Maratha quota agitation threatens to engulf the state once again. Prominent activist Manoj Jarange Patil has sounded a clarion call for a final, decisive protest beginning August 29, marking the third anniversary of the community’s relentless struggle. In stark contrast, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has stepped in to defuse the escalating...

Maratha quota stir poised for revival

Manoj Jarange issues August ultimatum as CM cites record certificate distribution Mumbai: Maharashtra is bracing for renewed political turbulence as the Maratha quota agitation threatens to engulf the state once again. Prominent activist Manoj Jarange Patil has sounded a clarion call for a final, decisive protest beginning August 29, marking the third anniversary of the community’s relentless struggle. In stark contrast, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has stepped in to defuse the escalating tensions, asserting that the government remains highly responsive to the community’s demands and that the pendency of caste certificates is virtually negligible. Addressing a massive press conference at Antarwali Sarati in the Jalna district of Marathwada, Jarange Patil expressed deep frustration with the state administration. He accused the government of deliberately deceiving the Maratha community and employing delaying tactics. According to the activist, the state has discovered approximately 58 lakh Kunbi caste records, yet the administration continues to withhold vital Kunbi certificates from eligible Maratha community members. Issuing a stern ultimatum, he demanded that caste certificates based on the Hyderabad gazette be issued to all rightful beneficiaries by August 28. Failing this, he warned, a massive mobilization will commence from every village across the state starting August 19. He passionately stated that the community has been sacrificing its blood for the youth for three years and will not back down until the issue reaches a logical conclusion. Robust Defence Countering these allegations, CM Fadnavis presented a robust defence of the Mahayuti government’s track record while speaking to the media in Nagpur. He emphasised that caste certificates are processed and issued promptly upon request. He firmly stated that everyone who has applied for a caste certificate has received it, adding that the number of pending cases is exceedingly low. Fadnavis dismissed the notion that certificates are being arbitrarily denied, reinforcing that the current administration has made and executed more pro-Maratha decisions than any previous government. He maintained a conciliatory tone, noting that the administration remains open to dialogue and is willing to find constructive solutions if any genuine grievances persist. Progress Report The state government’s claims are corroborated by the latest progress report from the Justice Sandeep Shinde committee, which was established to oversee the distribution of Maratha-Kunbi, Kunbi-Maratha, and Kunbi certificates. As of July 27, 2026, the data from the Divisional Commissionerate in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar paints a picture of swift administrative action in Marathwada. Out of a total of 311,609 applications received, a staggering 311,033 applicants have been successfully issued Kunbi certificates. Only 515 applications faced rejection, while a mere 61 remain pending across the division. Furthermore, officials noted that 72,012 certificates have been distributed in the region from September 2025 to the present date. A district-wise analysis of the Marathwada region highlights this extensive distribution network. In Beed district, the administration achieved a near-perfect clearance rate, distributing 206,789 certificates against 206,799 applications, with zero pending files currently. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar saw 25,211 certificates issued from 25,295 applications, leaving only 15 pending. Similarly, Jalna district processed 18,128 applications to distribute 18,053 certificates, with just 13 awaiting approval. Parbhani and Hingoli districts reported the distribution of 20,832 and 13,286 certificates, respectively, with negligible pendency. Nanded district cleared all its 4,841 applications with no backlog, while Latur and Dharashiv districts successfully distributed 2,751 and 19,281 certificates, respectively. Demands’ Charter Despite these administrative milestones, Jarange Patil has expanded his charter of demands, intensifying his critique of the state’s welfare mechanisms. He has now called for the creation of a dedicated Maratha welfare department, questioning why the Maratha community cannot have a separate ministry similar to the one existing for OBCs. He alleged that nine ministers in the current coalition are actively opposing this proposal, threatening to expose their names during the mega rally on August 29. Furthermore, he lashed out at the government over the systemic failure in implementing existing welfare schemes. He claimed that despite official resolutions granting Maratha students parity with OBC students, educational institutions are not enforcing these benefits at the school and college levels. He also accused the state of shutting down initiatives under the Sarathi institute and noted that flawed loan processes under the Annasaheb Patil Corporation are turning into bad debts, effectively ruining the CIBIL scores of young entrepreneurs. Capping off his grievances, Jarange Patil alleged a discriminatory bias in government recruitment, questioning the state administration over what he termed an “apartheid” against Maratha candidates.

Nishant Kumar: Bihar's reluctant heir steps into the political arena

New Delhi: In Bihar's swirling political cauldron, Nishant Kumar has emerged as the hottest topic. Once a man who shunned not just politics but public life altogether, he has now plunged headlong into the fray. The key to this transformation likely lies in his family dynamics.


His mother, Manju Kumari Sinha, played a pivotal role in shaping his path, while his father, Nitish Kumar, devoted his entire life to serving the public after completing his studies. Having fulfilled his mother's wishes by prioritising education, Nishant is now stepping up to shoulder his father's social and political responsibilities at a crucial juncture. Nitish Kumar has set an extraordinarily high bar for development in Bihar's politics, leaving Nishant with formidable challenges ahead. The question is whether he will convert these hurdles into opportunities and climb the ladder of success, or stumble while trying.


To grasp Nishant's political worldview and motivations, one must delve into his family background. Born on July 20, 1975, in Patna, Nishant entered a world where his father had already joined active politics during the 1974 movement against Indira Gandhi's Emergency under the leadership of Lok Nayak Jay Prakash Narayan. Nitish dedicated his life thereafter to Bihar's development dreams and upliftment of the deprived. In contrast, his mother, Manju Sinha, was a school teacher who passed away in 2007 and never favoured misusing power for personal gain.


Family associates recall that Manju Sinha explicitly discouraged Nishant from stepping into politics. Whenever he showed interest, she urged him that "First study, become a good citizen and self-reliant, then step into social and national service."


Early Life

Under her guidance, Nishant began his schooling at Patna's St. Karen's School, followed by studies at Mussoorie's Manav Bharti India International School. He also attended Patna's Kendriya Vidyalaya briefly. After school, he earned a software engineering degree from Birla Institute of Technology (BIT) Mesra in Ranchi, Jharkhand, mirroring his father's engineering background. Notably, for his first two years at BIT, classmates had no idea he was Nitish Kumar's son. In an interview, his classmate and Islampur (Bihar) MLA Ruhail Ranjan (son of Rajiv Ranjan) revealed that "No one knew Nishant was Nitish's son for those initial two years."


Now nearing 50 and unmarried, Nishant leads a spiritual life marked by daily yoga, prayers, and simplicity. Media reports note his reading habits include books on socialism, contemporary Bihar, RSS publications, and the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. He prefers family time or solitude. He shares a deep bond with his father, often hugging him affectionately like a child on special occasions.


Curiously, while working in the private sector, Nishant has amassed more wealth than his father. His total movable and immovable assets stand at 3.61 crore, surpassing Nitish's 1.66 crore. Beyond inheritance from his late mother, this includes ancestral property in Kalyan Bigaha, Nalanda (a family home and farmland), plus real estate in Patna and Bakhtiyarpur.


‘Parivarwaad’

After years of steering clear of politics, Nishant's entry into the Janata Dal (United) drew accusations of dynastic politics from the opposition, like Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Yet, there's no evidence of him chasing power's perks. If that were his aim, he could have joined active politics when Nitish was a union minister or during his 21-year stint as chief minister (in multiple terms). Instead, as Nitish honourably announces his exit from the chief minister's post, Nishant steps in to carry forward his father's public legacy and vision. He has vowed to propel Bihar into the ranks of developed states.


Challenges Ahead

With Nishant now in JD(U) and eyeing the deputy chief minister's role, power brings fresh tests. First, Nitish built his base by consolidating Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs). Nishant must rally them while preventing the erosion of JD(U)'s core voters. Second, Nitish championed women's empowerment, from bicycles for girls to educate them, self-help groups for 'Jeevika Didis', and alcohol prohibition to restore dignity. How will Nishant advance this agenda and turn challenges into gains? Ahead looms the 2030 Bihar Assembly elections, where he must forge an identity, win over party workers, and earn leaders' trust.


Nitish enjoys an image as a clean, trustworthy politician. Can Nishant match this stature and live up to public faith? Comparisons arise with Uddhav Thackeray, who inherited Bal Saheb Thackeray's mantle but veered from ideology, allying with Congress and NCP for power. Will Nishant compromise similarly, or draw an even bolder developmental line for Bihar? Many queries linger, unanswered in the hush of now — only time, the silent sage, shall unveil their truth somehow.

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