Maratha Quota Activist Manoj Jarange Vows to Take Fight to Mumbai; Fadnavis Urges Rethink Amid Ganeshotsav

Manoj Jarange Plans March to Mumbai

Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange has remained firm on taking his agitation from Jalna district to Mumbai. He has announced a march beginning on September 15, with plans to reach Mumbai and continue the protest at Azad Maidan.

Jarange has been demanding reservation for the Maratha community in jobs and education, including the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas. His ongoing hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati has entered its 16th day.

Indefinite Hunger Strike Planned in Mumbai

Jarange has announced that an indefinite hunger strike will be held at Azad Maidan after the march reaches Mumbai. He has appealed to supporters to maintain peace and follow democratic methods during the agitation.

The activist has also said that protesters should avoid violence, stone-pelting and damage to property.

Fadnavis Urges Jarange to Reconsider

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has appealed to Jarange to reconsider the plan to hold the protest in Mumbai during Ganeshotsav.

Fadnavis said the Ganesh festival attracts large numbers of devotees to pandals across Mumbai and that a major protest during this period could create difficulties for citizens and authorities.

Government Says Many Demands Have Been Addressed

Fadnavis said the state government has continued dialogue with Jarange and maintained that almost all of his demands have been addressed. According to the Chief Minister, some remaining issues are before courts or involve constitutional and legal procedures.

He emphasized that the government cannot take decisions that go against existing laws or constitutional provisions.

Maratha Reservation Remains the Central Issue

The central demand of Jarange's agitation is reservation for the Maratha community, particularly through recognition of eligible members as Kunbis and access to the Other Backward Classes category.

Jarange has accused the Maharashtra government of failing to fully implement measures connected to his demands, including issues involving historical Kunbi records and caste certificates. The government, meanwhile, has said that it is taking steps within the legal and constitutional framework.

Mumbai Police Deny Permission for Hunger Strike

The planned Mumbai protest has also faced an administrative hurdle. Mumbai Police have denied permission for Jarange's proposed hunger strike, citing security and operational concerns during the festival period.

Despite the denial, Jarange has continued to insist that he intends to take the agitation to Mumbai.

Ganeshotsav Creates Additional Challenge

The timing of the proposed protest has become a major concern for the Maharashtra government. Ganeshotsav is being observed across Mumbai, with large public gatherings and processions expected during the festival.

Authorities are concerned that a large-scale political mobilisation could add pressure to traffic management, security arrangements and public order during the busy festival period.

Jarange Maintains His Position

Despite appeals from the state government and political leaders, Jarange has maintained that he will proceed with his Mumbai programme. He has described the proposed action as a decisive phase of the Maratha reservation movement.

At the same time, he has repeatedly called for the agitation to remain peaceful and democratic, asking supporters not to engage in violence or damage public property.

Conclusion

The Maratha reservation issue has entered another crucial phase as Manoj Jarange prepares to take his agitation to Mumbai. While Jarange remains determined to press his demands through a march and hunger strike, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has urged him to reconsider the timing because of the ongoing Ganeshotsav.

With the protest plans, police permission issue and reservation demands all converging, the situation in Maharashtra is likely to remain a major political and administrative issue in the coming days.