Mumbai is bracing for another day of intense Maratha protests, as Manoj Jarange, the leader of the Maratha rights movement, continues his indefinite hunger strike demanding reservation benefits for the Maratha community. The protests, which began on Friday, have already brought much of the city to a standstill, and with Jarange’s strike entering its second day on Saturday, further disruptions are expected.
Jarange, who is demanding that the Maratha community be included in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category for access to reservations in government jobs and educational institutions, started his hunger strike at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai. Despite being granted permission for just one more day, Jarange has vowed that the protests will continue, with or without official approval, and warned that more people will join if the government delays talks.
During the protest, Jarange expressed frustration with the government’s lack of engagement, claiming that they were attempting to “destroy the Maratha community” by withholding reservation benefits. He also warned that if talks did not begin soon, he would stop drinking water within the next two days, escalating his hunger strike.
The protests have drawn thousands of supporters from across Maharashtra, filling Azad Maidan and spilling over into nearby locations such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSTM) and Churchgate stations. Some protestors have come prepared, bringing rations for up to a month, while others have sought shelter from the rain in public spaces.
Jarange also criticized the authorities for allegedly not providing basic amenities to the protestors, such as food, water, and even toilets, accusing the government of deliberately creating hardships for those protesting. He compared the current treatment to the British colonial era, claiming that the government’s actions were reminiscent of how Marathas were treated in the past.
To assist the protestors, the Sakal Maratha Samaj, a Maratha community organization, has set up essential service stations, providing food, water, and accommodation for thousands of people at the CIDCO Exhibition Centre in Vashi. The center is expected to host between 40,000 and 50,000 people for the next few days.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed state Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil to engage in talks with Jarange. Vikhe-Patil, a Maratha leader, arrived in Mumbai on Friday evening and expressed that while the cabinet sub-committee has not yet scheduled a meeting to address the demands, the government was open to considering the protestors’ proposals.
Fadnavis also stated that during the previous Mahayuti government’s term, a 10% reservation for Marathas was granted. However, he emphasized the need for a legal solution, stating that promises alone would not be enough and urging the cabinet sub-committee to find a way to resolve the situation without creating conflict between the Maratha and OBC communities.
As the protests continue, the situation remains tense, with traffic disruptions and public services likely to face further challenges.
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