The protest led by Manoj Jarange Patil at Azad Maidan in Mumbai for Maratha reservation has now been extended by another day. The deadline for the protest was set to end at 6 pm today, but the hunger strike will now continue until tomorrow. Thousands of Maratha protesters have gathered at Azad Maidan with Jarange, who has declared that the agitation will continue until the demand for reservation is fulfilled.
Jarange’s hunger strike at Azad Maidan, which was scheduled to end today, has been extended following a request made to the Azad Maidan police. However, as protesters caused traffic disruptions and violated several rules throughout the day, there is a possibility that the police may impose stricter conditions during tomorrow’s protest to ensure smooth traffic movement and maintain law and order.
Earlier, Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil arrived at the Azad Maidan in Mumbai on Friday morning, August 29. Jarange Patil's supporters blocked the roads leading to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) railway station as they sat outside the station and created a commotion.
Heavy security was deployed in South Mumbai to avoid untoward incidents. Mumbai Traffic Police also issued an advisory on Thursday evening before the Maratha Morcha entered the city. The advisory was issued by the authority to ensure a smooth flow of vehicles, as the Maratha activist was given permission to hold a rally at the Azad Maidan from 10 am to 6 pm for one day.
Jarange Patil installed a Ganesha idol at the Azad Maidan before he began indefinite fasting for the 10% reservation of the Maratha community. "I will not leave the seat. I will not get up from here until all the demands are implemented," Patil warned.
Jarange Patil also asked his supporters not to drink alcohol during the protest rally at Azad Maidan. "No one should commit arson or stone pelting. No one should take a single step that will lower the honor of the Marathas," he announced from the stage.
The Mumbai Police granted permission to Jarange Patil on Wednesday hold rally with only 5,000 people from 9 am to 6 pm for a day. This is the 9th such protest for the Maratha activist over two years demanding reservation for the Maratha community from Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government.
The cabinet subcommittee formed by the state government, led by BJP leader and minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, is likely to meet with a Maratha activist today. Last year, he also marched to Mumbai but was stopped at Vashi following a request from the state government.
He held a hunger strike at Shivaji Chowk in Vashi, which was called off after then-chief minister Eknath Shinde met him and declared to accept his demands. Chief Minister Shinde assured to issue Kunbi certificates to all 57 lakh Marathas with Kunbi antecedents, blood relatives, and relatives formed out of marriages in the same caste so that they can get the benefits of OBC reservation.
The state government also issued a notification regarding this, which has yet to be implemented. The implementation issue by the social justice department is one of Jarange Patil's demands.
29 Aug, 25 06:42 PM
Mumbai Police Allow Maratha Quota Leader to Continue Agitation at Azad Maidan on August 30
The protest led by Manoj Jarange Patil at Azad Maidan in Mumbai for Maratha reservation has now been extended by another day. The deadline for the protest was set to end at 6 pm today, but the hunger strike will now continue until tomorrow. Thousands of Maratha protesters have gathered at Azad Maidan with Jarange, who has declared that the agitation will continue until the demand for reservation is fulfilled.
Jarange’s hunger strike at Azad Maidan, which was scheduled to end today, has been extended following a request made to the Azad Maidan police. However, as protesters caused traffic disruptions and violated several rules throughout the day, there is a possibility that the police may impose stricter conditions during tomorrow’s protest to ensure smooth traffic movement and maintain law and order.
29 Aug, 25 06:03 PM
Congress Was First to Grant Maratha Reservation, Says State President Harshwardhan Sapkal
"The Maratha reservation issue is not new. It was the Congress government that first granted Maratha reservation. The court had only asked for some imperial data and additional information, and after so much time Devendra Fadnavis should have provided that data. The demand was legitimate, and the reservation granted was absolutely justified," said Congress State President Harshwardhan Sapkal.
29 Aug, 25 05:34 PM
Congress MP Balwant Wankhade Urges Centre to Hold Special Session
Speaking on Manoj Jarange's agitation, Congress MP Balwant Wankhade said, "In the coming days, Manoj Jarange Patil's protest will be suppressed. Do not grant Maratha reservation by taking away from other communities; instead, give separate reservation to the Maratha community. The central government should convene a special session in view of the agitation and resolve the Maratha issue."
29 Aug, 25 03:46 PM
Stampede-Like Situation at CSMT as Maratha Quota Protesters Rush Inside Station During Heavy Rain
A stampede-like situation occurred at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) railway station in Mumbai on Friday afternoon, August 29, after platforms became overcrowded due to heavy rainfall in the city. The Maratha quota protestors, protesting at the Azad Maidan and on the roads outside the CSMT station, rushed inside the station premises after rain lash the city, which caused platforms to become overcrowded and created rucks.
Chaos CSMT railway station as Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil's supporters arrived in Mumbai to participate in Maratha Morcha rally at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai. People face difficulties, while boarding and deporting local trains. The police and CRPF guiding the crowd for safety and to avoid untoward incidents.
Seeing this, Central Railway (CR) requests Mumbaikars to avoid unnecessary travel due to the heavy rush at CSMT station. "In view of the heavy crowd gathering in and around the CSMT station, Passengers are advised to travel to CSMT only if essential and unavoidable," CR wrote on X.
29 Aug, 25 02:43 PM
Govt Must Immediately Hold Dialogue With Maratha Quota Activist Manoj Jarange, Says Sena UBT Chief Uddhav Thackeray
Shiv Sena UBT Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday, August 29, said that the government should hold a dialogue with Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil. He further said that if Marathi people not come to Mumbai then where else they will go Guwahati, Gujarat. Mumbai is the capital city of Marathi people.
29 Aug, 25 01:17 PM
Heavy Rains Force Maratha Protesters to Take Shelter Inside CSMT Station
A short spell of heavy rains on Friday morning caused inconvenience to Maratha quota protesters at Azad Maidan and outside, forcing many of them to look for shelter. Several protesters who had come to the city for activist Manoj Jarange’s agitation ran towards the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, while others took cover under the BMC headquarters porch, inside the CSMT subway, and at nearby bus stops to avoid getting drenched.
The rain started around 11.30 am and was intense for about 10 minutes. However, many Maratha community members braved the showers to stay put at the protest venue. After the heavy spell, light rains continued in the area. The congestion at the CSMT junction eased as the protesters cleared the spot to escape the rains.
29 Aug, 25 01:03 PM
Government Responsible If Law and Order Situation Escalates in Mumbai, Says Sanjay Raut
Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut said that the Maharashtra government, specifically CM Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the state's Home Minister, will take action if a law-and-order situation arises in Mumbai.
"Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra. If Maratha people from across the state are coming to Mumbai in large numbers, and this becomes a law and order issue, then it is the government's responsibility—not the court’s," Raut said in view of the large crowd spreading in south Mumbai, which has arrived from several districts of Maharashtra to support Jarange Patil.
29 Aug, 25 12:51 PM
Maratha Community Has Become Economically Weaker, Seeks Reservation in Education and Jobs, Says Sanjay Raut
Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut said the people of Maratha community are coming to Mumbai to attend protest in large number, which means there is lack of jobs and education. "These people are coming with a demand, and that demand is reservation and it is the government’s responsibility, particularly that of Devendra Fadnavis. The Maratha community has become economically weaker and now seeks reservation in education and employment," he said.
29 Aug, 25 12:38 PM
Manoj Jarange Patil Installs Ganesh Idol at Azad Maidan (Watch Video)
After reaching at Azad Maidan, Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil installed a Ganesh idol on the stage and began his infintie fast over 10% reservation demand for Maratha community.
Jarange Patil began his strike by saying, "We must stay united and give our full strength. We had planned to hold the strike at Azad Maidan, and we have reached here. Earlier, the government was not listening to us and not providing help, so we decided to block Mumbai. But now the government has given us help and permission to hold the strike."
29 Aug, 25 12:13 PM
Huge Traffic Outside CSMT Railway Station as Maratha Activist’s Supporters Block Roads
Thousands of Maratha activist supporters entered Mumbai via several ways of transport. While, huge crowd was seen outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Fort area in south Mumbai. In view of the large number of protesters, a heavy police force has been deployed here and many changes have also been made in the traffic routes by Mumbai Traffic Police.
"Due to all routes from CSMT station being closed, buses in any direction are standing still at the spot, and no alternative routes are currently available for bus services. As a result, bus services are running irregularly," informed Mumbai BEST Bus on X.