The Maharashtra government has granted an extension until December 24 to the committee tasked with establishing the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for issuing Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas, stated a report in the PTI. This development followed an indefinite hunger strike initiated by activist Manoj Jarange in Jalna district on Wednesday, demanding reservations for the Maratha community, the report added.

Kunbis, traditionally associated with agriculture, is categorised under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) in Maharashtra. The Maratha community, led by Jarange, has been advocating for Kunbi certificates for Marathas, which would facilitate their inclusion in the OBC category for reservations.