In a concerning development amidst Maharashtra’s ongoing reservation disputes, an unidentified individual ignited and severely damaged the car of a prominent OBC activist in Jalna city. The incident, which took place around 10 p.m. on Sunday, September 21, 2025, in the Neelam Nagar area, was clearly captured by CCTV cameras.
Footage shows a person dousing OBC activist Navnath Waghmare’s parked car with an inflammable liquid from a bottle before setting it on fire. The upper section of the vehicle sustained significant damage before local residents quickly intervened to extinguish the flames.
Following the attack, Mr. Waghmare spoke to the media, pointing fingers at supporters of Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange, who resides in Antarwali Sarati village, also in Jalna district.
A formal complaint has been lodged at the Kadim Jalna police station, and authorities have registered a case against an unknown individual. Police officials confirm they are thoroughly examining the CCTV footage as part of their investigation.
It’s important to note that Mr. Waghmare and other OBC activists have been vocal opponents of including the Maratha community within the Other Backward Classes category for reservation benefits.
“My car was intentionally set on fire. Thankfully, residents rushed to help before the blaze could spread further. I will not be intimidated by such acts. We adhere to constitutional means and do not resort to violence. What if OBC activists had retaliated by burning Jarange’s car?” Mr. Waghmare questioned, emphasizing his demand for police action against those responsible.
Jalna district has become a focal point in the escalating tensions surrounding reservation quotas, particularly between the Maratha, OBC, Dhangar, and Banjara communities.
OBC activists in the region have vociferously rejected the implementation of the Hyderabad Gazette, which aims to facilitate the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas in the Marathwada region, thereby making them eligible for OBC quota advantages.
Their argument centers on the belief that granting OBC status to Marathas would diminish opportunities for existing Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes.
Just last week, members of the Banjara community also staged protests in Jalna, advocating for their inclusion in the ST category. Currently, Banjaras receive a 3% quota under the Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNT) segment. Adding to the unrest, Dhangar activist Dipak Borhade has been on a fast-unto-death in Jalna for six days, pressing for ST status for his community.
On Sunday, September 21, 2025, advocate Gunratan Sadavarte, a prominent critic of Mr. Jarange, visited Jalna to show his support for Mr. Borhade. Coincidentally, earlier that same day, protesters attempted to attack Advocate Sadavarte’s car in Jalna.
Mr. Jarange has repeatedly led protests and hunger strikes, demanding reservation for the Maratha community under the OBC category. In response, the state government issued a resolution earlier this month, outlining steps for implementing the Hyderabad gazette to expedite the issuance of Kunbi (an OBC caste) certificates to Marathas from the Marathwada region who can substantiate their Kunbi caste ancestry.