Mumbai Maratha Quota Protest Highlights: Manoj Jarange Patil on hunger strike for third day after talks remain inconclusive

A Cabinet sub committee meeting was held on Sunday to discuss Maratha reservations, however, no solutions were outlined.

Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil who heads the panel said, "A meeting with state advocate General will take place in the evening to discuss some legal aspects related to Maratha reservation."

It will be followed by another meeting later.

Vikhe-Patil said, "Manoj Jarange Patil's demand for issuance of kunbi certificates to Marathas based on Hyderabad and Satara gazettes was discussed. The legal department and experts have drawn attention to some technicalities."

Commenting on the inconvenience caused to Mumbaikars because of the Maratha agitation, Vikhe-Patil said, "Jarange-Patil has appealed to protestors to ensure discipline and not create inconvenience."

"It is a sensitive issue and Marathas are fighting for their reservation rights. We have to bear this in mind. At the same time also ensure nobody is inconvenienced," he added.

On its part, the cabinet sub-committee is also working and finding ways to resolve the matter.

A large number of Maratha agitators were present at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) impacting traffic in the area and nearby junctions, according to police, quoted by PTI.

"As the Agitation at Azad Maidan still continues, agitators are present at CSMT Junction impacting traffic in the area and near by junctions. Motorist are advised to avoid these route and take alternate route to reach their destination," the Mumbai Traffic Police said on their X handle.

Nearly 800 sanitation workers have been deployed to maintain cleanliness and arrangements also made for more than 300 toilets for Maratha quota protesters in Mumbai, the city civic body said on Sunday, PTI report stated.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has also arranged for drinking water and garbage collection, as the agitation by the Maratha community members for reservation entered the third day on Sunday, the BMC said in a release.

Thousands of people from the Maratha community have arrived in Mumbai from various parts of Maharashtra to participate in the quota agitation, spearheaded by Jarange, at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai.

The BMC on Sunday said it has made arrangements for more than 300 toilets, including both permanent and mobile facilities, which are available free of cost. These toilets were being cleaned regularly to maintain hygiene amid the ongoing protest, it stated.

The BMC has stationed 25 water tankers at key locations, including Azad Maidan, Mahapalika Marg, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Hutatma Smarak Chowk and Bombay Gymkhana, to provide uninterrupted drinking water supply, the release said.

The civic body has also distributed garbage collection bags among protesters and appealed to them to hand over the filled bags to its workers for proper disposal and maintaining cleanliness, the news agency quoted.

The BMC on Saturday said a medical help desk has also been set up to provide healthcare services to the protesters. Four medical teams and two ambulances were operational round-the-clock in the Azad Maidan area, it said. (PTI)

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil Sunday continued his indefinite hunger strike for the third consecutive day after talks with the Maharashtra government remained inconclusive on Saturday.

The Mumbai police has extended the permission for Patil’s agitation at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai by one more day, marking the second time in two days that they extended permission.

The Maratha activists have demanded 10 per cent reservation and quota benefits for the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC), with Patil vowing not to withdraw the agitation until their demands, including granting Kunbi status to Marathas, are met.

After the meeting on Saturday, the Cabinet sub-committee head Radhakrishnan Vikhe Patil said the government is positive about the demands of the Maratha community and Justice Shinde and Divisional Commissioner will be going to meet Jarange Patil at Azad Maidan.

"The government is positive towards the demands of Maratha community. The Marathas should get reservation. A delegation of Justice Shinde along with other officials will go and meet Jarange Patil to discuss," he said adding that all the facilities are being provided to the protesters.

A Cabinet sub-committee headed by Radhakrishnan Vikhe-Patil convened a meeting at Mumbai. The 12-member sub-committee has been empowered by the Maharashtra government to hold discussions with activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Maratha reservation issues.

Protestors gathered for Maratha quota agitation at Mumbai's Azad Maidan braved rains and puddles on the historic ground, as their stir entered its second day on Saturday, with many complaining about the lack of basic amenities at the venue, news agency PTI reported.

Lakhs of quota agitators have gathered in support of activist Manoj Jarange, who launched an indefinite fast on Friday, demanding a 10 per cent quota for Marathas under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.

Mumbai has been witnessing continuous rainfall since Friday morning, due to which protestors, especially those who arrived in the city by train and other means of public transport, have been facing many difficulties, the report stated.

Many of them have complained of food scarcity, alleging that the government had shut down shops around the protest site. They also claimed, PTI reported, that the ground lacked adequate facilities to ensure their safety and hygiene.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had on Friday claimed that it had made the necessary arrangements for draining water and set up toilets. The civic body, in a release, stated that all 'pay-and-use' toilets in and around Azad Maidan were made free for the protesters.

Additionally, it has also arranged for 29 toilets within Azad Maidan, three mobile toilet units with 10 seats each along the Mahatma Gandhi Road, and 12 portable toilets near the Metro site, the release stated.

It also stated that gravel had been spread to level the paths on muddy access routes. (PTI)

Amid protests, in order to end the hunger strike, the government delegation led by minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and others are expected to meet Jarange Patil at Azad Maidan to hold a dialogue.

Amid the ongoing Maratha reservation protest, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray Friday, criticised the government, saying, “Maratha community had been used and deceived in the past and now that the Mahayuti is in power, their demands should be fulfilled.”

He also urged the government to immediately hold dialogue with Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil as he began his indefinite hunger strike.

“They are not terrorists. They have come to Mumbai for their legitimate rights… Mumbai is the capital of the Marathi people. If not Mumbai, then where will they go,” said Thackeray, adding Jarange was forced to protest in the city to demand justice.

“Despite repeated assurances, Jarange Patil has not received justice. Only back-and-forth politics is happening. The government must act,” Thackeray said, adding said that he has no role in granting reservation, and that protesters are seeking justice, not creating disturbances.