Maratha quota protest: After HC order, Jarange vows to continue fast, urges protestors to remain peaceful

“If you do not want to listen to me, then go back to the village, but do not bring disrepute to the community. I am fighting for your children, but your actions could tarnish our reputation,” he said. Alleging that “anti-social elements” were trying to create trouble, he said, “Our community members are not indulging in hooliganism.”

Jarange, whose hunger strike entered its fourth day, declared he would continue “even if it costs his life.”

“Even if I die, I will secure reservation. It is final that Marathas and Kunbis are one. Reservation is the only way to uplift future generations. I am suffering for your children’s future. If you do not want reservation, then leave for your village,” he told his supporters.

He also hit out at the government for failing to engage with protestors directly. “I hear from the media that the government is holding meetings. I am ready for talks, but are they so helpless that they cannot come here? We are just 150 metres away — why can’t they walk down for discussions? CM Devendra Fadnavis does not understand the importance of peace. His arrogant decisions are insulting the Maratha community,” he said while blaming Fadnavis for the protest.

Earlier in the morning, Jarange had announced that he would give up water intake to intensify his fast. By evening, however, he said he had resumed drinking water so that he could address protestors after the court’s order. “I had to drink water just to talk to you. My last request is this—do not trouble Mumbaikars and do not tarnish the community’s name,” he said.

“This is my final word,” he added. “If you want to create chaos under someone else’s influence, then do it in your village, not here. Do not let the community be defamed. I want to raise the standing of our people. I want to secure the future of your children,” he said.

Meanwhile, in the afternoon, a cabinet sub-committee headed by minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil met to discuss the issue and prepared a draft proposal to implement the Hyderabad Gazette for extending quota benefits to Marathas.

Officials said the proposal would have to withstand legal scrutiny. The Advocate General, who attended the meeting, left midway for the High Court hearing. Further deliberations are expected once the court issues directions.

Appealing to protestors to confine their agitation to Azad Maidan, Vikhe Patil said, “Those gathering at places such as CSMT station are disrupting public life. If anyone is trying to malign the Maratha community under the garb of protest, action will be taken.” Referring to incidents involving women journalists, he cautioned that “outsiders” may be attempting to discredit the movement.

He added, “Past court rulings on reservations will guide the government in framing a final solution. We are working on a legally sustainable way forward.”

Meanwhile, OBC leaders led by senior minister Chhagan Bhujbal announced a counter-protest in Mumbai. Addressing supporters, Bhujbal said: “We do not care what others are doing, but we must prepare ourselves. Begin hunger strikes at multiple places. Take out marches from the tehsildar’s office to the collector’s office. Our demand is clear — others must not encroach on OBC quota benefits.”

He directed his party workers to begin mobilising immediately. “They want to take away what belongs to us. We cannot allow anyone to share the OBC quota. This fight is about our rights, and we must be ready for it,” Bhujbal said.

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