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

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Supriya Sule meets Manoj Jarange-Patil during the Maratha Kranti Morcha gathering at Azad Maidan, Mumbai.

NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule demands all-party meeting and special session of Maharashtra legislature to discuss Maratha quota issue.

Commenting on Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) leader Sharad Pawar's suggestion for constitutional amendment to resolve Maratha reservation issues, the cabinet sub-committee head Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said, "It is unfortunate that leader of his stature is trying to take political advantage of Maratha quota."

He questioned, "Pawar was in UPA government at the Centre for ten years. At that time, Congress and NCP were even in Maharashtra. Moreover, Sharad Pawar has been CM for four terms in the state. Why did he not think of Maratha reservation in the past?"

"When Mandal Commission was given consent, he should have considered Maratha reservations also. After all, Maratha reservation is an old demand," he added.

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.

When asked about Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray's comments, activist Manoj Jarange Patil said the "Thackeray brand" is good and that both brothers (Raj and Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray) are good, news agency PTI reported.

But he (Raj) is a person who can easily believe what others say, the activist claimed. Fadnavis ensured his son's (Amit Thackeray) defeat in the state assembly polls last year, he pointed out.

Thackeray on Saturday said Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde should be asked why the Maratha reservation issue has reared its head again as Shinde had resolved it last time.

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.

Social activist Manoj Jarange Sunday asserted he will not leave Mumbai until his demand for reservation to the Maratha community is met, as his hunger strike entered the third day, news agency PTI reported.

He also claimed his demand was constitutionally valid and that the government has records showing Kunbis and Marathas are the same caste.

Jarange said people from the Maratha community have come to Mumbai to participate in the agitation with a lot of pain in their hearts and urged Maharashtra government not to consider them as a "crowd".

"From tomorrow, I will stop taking water as the government is not accepting the demands. But I am not going back till the quota demand is met. We will get Marathas reservation under the OBC category no matter what," Jarange asserted.

"Our demand is constitutionally valid. The government has records of 58 lakh Marathas as Kunbis. Marathas will come to Mumbai (for the agitation) as and when they get time," he said.

Jarange asked his supporters to keep their vehicles at designated parking slots and come to Azad Maidan by train.

The activist said food, from supply trucks, should be distributed to the protesters at Vashi, Chembur, Sewri, Masjid Bunder and other places wherever they are parking their vehicles and they should then come to Azad Maidan. He also said his supporters should not pay money to those distributing umbrellas and raincoats to them, as per the PTI report. (PTI)

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)

Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis late Saturday night to discuss the ongoing hunger strike by activist Manoj Jarange in Mumbai to press for Maratha quota, sources told news agency PTI on Sunday.

The meeting lasted for an hour, according to sources. Senior BJP leader Girish Mahajan was also present at the meet.

The cabinet sub-committee headed by Vikhe-Patil will meet again on Sunday, PTI report stated.

Jarange on Saturday had slammed CM Fadnavis for sending Justice Shinde to hold talks with him. "It is not Justice Shinde's job to issue a GR announcing grant of reservation to Marathas," Jarange said, vowing to continue the agitation.

Fadnavis has said the government was trying to find a solution to the matter within the constitutional and legal framework. (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.

A 32-year-old Maratha quota protester died of a heart attack here on Saturday, police said.

Vijaykumar Chandrakant Ghogre, resident of Takalgaon in Maharashtra's Latur district, died at the government-run J J Hospital, an official said.

Ghogre had come to Mumbai with a group of 40 men in two tempos to participate in the quota agitation at Azad Maidan, he said.

While roaming in Pydhonie area in the afternoon, he complained of pain in the chest and was rushed to the hospital, but was declared dead on arrival, the official said. (PTI)

The police on Saturday evening extended the permission for Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange's agitation at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai by one more day, an official said.

This is the second time in two days that the Mumbai police have extended permission to the organisers of the agitation, the official said.

Earlier in the day, the Azad Maidan police received an application to allow Jarange's agitation at the venue for another day, officials said. The deadline for the agitation on the ground was 6 pm. (PTI)

The Mumbai police received an application to allow activist Manoj Jarange's Maratha quota agitation at the Azad Maidan for another day, officials said.

With the deadline for using the ground as the venue for Jarange's hunger strike for the second day ending by 6 pm, an application seeking an extension was submitted to the Azad Maidan police station, they said.

The request is being considered positively, an official said, adding that a decision on it would be taken in some time.

The activist started the indefinite fast on Friday morning. (PTI)

Amid a renewed Maratha quota agitation in Mumbai, NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Saturday said a constitutional amendment was necessary to resolve these issues, as there is a ceiling on overall reservations.

As many as 80 percent Marathas are dependent on farming, but agriculture alone cannot secure their future, making reservations the only option, he said.

He has been holding discussions with other MPs about the need for a constitutional amendment, Pawar said, speaking at a function here.

The Supreme Court has imposed a 52 per cent cap on reservations, but the court ratified 72 percent quota in Tamil Nadu, Pawar pointed out.

The Centre's role has to be transparent and clear in this issue, he said, adding that the country requires a uniform policy to ensure there was no bitterness in society. (PTI)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah holds discussion with CM Devendra Fadnavis and deputy CM Eknath Shinde on Maratha agitation. Earlier in the day, Shah and his family members performed Ganesh aarti at Fadnavis' residence Varsha in Mumbai.

On the other hand, opposition leader and MNS president Raj Thackeray has made a veil attack on deputy CM Eknath Shinde over the reservation protest. He also said Shinde "should tell us why Maratha reservation protests are taking place in Mumbai," alleging that "he has all the answers."

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said Shinde must take responsibility for the protest in Mumbai.

Earlier on Friday, UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray 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.”

Amid protests over the Maratha reservation issue, Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil said he is willing to give time to the gazettes of Bombay and Aundh states but not to the Nizam state for the issuance of a Government Resolution (GR) that Marathas of Marathwada are Kunbi.

"The Hyderabad (Nizam) state gazette is clear. No time can be given for this. It will not take more than 1 hour to issue GR and start implementation. Take cabinet meeting and take decision."

Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil said, "I won't leave Mumbai or back out unless Marathas are given Kunbi status."

Jarange said the Shinde committee has been studying since past 13 months, and now it should immediately give a report that Marathas of Marathwada are Kunbi, issue a Government Resolution, and should start the distribution of Kunbi certificates from tomorrow itself.

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.

There are massive traffic jams at the north end of the Eastern freeway in Chembur, leading the Mumbai Traffic police to close down a few roads to stop protesters from taking the freeway.

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.

Due to ongoing agitation at Mumbai's Azad Maidan, motorists are advisd to avoid CSMT and it's adjoining areas, the Mumbai Traffic Police stated on Saturday.

"Motorists are also requested to refrain from using eastern freeway due to heavy traffic. Plan your travel and use alternate routes," the police stated in a post over X.

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)

The Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil continued his indefinite hunger strike at Mumbai’s historic Azad Maidan on the second day, declaring he would not budge until the community’s demands were fulfilled, news agency PTI reported.

Other protesters associated with the Maratha quota movement are also present at the site.

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.

The Mumbai Traffic Police early Saturday took to X (formerly Twitter), to share that the traffic across the city is clear for now.

This notification comes a day after thousands from across the state marched in Mumbai, holding saffron flags, wearing saffron scarves and chanting “Ek Maratha, Lakh Maratha,” disrupting traffic and forcing the Mumbai Police to block several roads.

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.

The Maratha activists have sought the permission for holding protests on Saturday, which the Mumbai police approved with several terms and conditions.

This comes a day after the activists from the community gathered at Azad Maidan to raise their demands for quota benefits for the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC).

The lead activist Manoj Jarange Patil began his fresh indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in Mumbai Friday morning, vowing not to withdraw the agitation until their demands, including granting Kunbi status to Marathas, are met.

Activist Manoj Jarange on Friday evening slammed the Maharashtra government for extending the permission for his hunger strike for Maratha reservation for a day, and warned that Marathas from all over the state will come to Mumbai if the quota demand was not conceded quickly.

He would stop taking water in the next two days, he said, vowing to continue his fast.

Jarange, who started his indefinite fast in the morning, was speaking to reporters after the police extended the permission granted to him and his associates for the protest at the Azad Maidan in south Mumbai for just one day.

"Instead of playing these games of giving one-day extension, announce reservations, and the poor Marathas will bless you forever. You have the opportunity to win the hearts of the poor Marathas,' the 43-year-old activist said.

(PTI)