Maratha Protest: Manoj Jarange Patil to Intensify Agitation

The ongoing Maratha reservation protest in Mumbai has entered a critical phase as activist Manoj Jarange Patil, the movement’s prominent face, has declared his intention to stop drinking water, intensifying his indefinite hunger strike. The announcement, made at the protest site at Azad Maidan, marks a significant escalation in the standoff between the protesters and the Maharashtra state government.

Jarange Patil, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike since Friday, August 29, 2025, made the solemn declaration, stating that since the government is not listening to the community’s demands, he will now give up water as well. He reiterated his unwavering resolve, asserting that the Maratha community will not leave Mumbai until their primary demand—reservation under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota—is met. “I will not leave Mumbai until we get reservation. I will get reservation at any cost and give it to you,” Jarange Patil told his supporters.

The core of the protest revolves around the demand for all Marathas to be recognized as Kunbis, an agrarian community already included in the OBC category. This reclassification would make the entire Maratha community eligible for reservation benefits in education and government jobs. Jarange Patil has been demanding that the government issue a Government Resolution (GR) to this effect, based on historical records, including the Hyderabad and Satara gazetteers.

The protest, which has drawn thousands of supporters from across Maharashtra, has brought parts of South Mumbai to a standstill. The heavy influx of protesters and their vehicles has caused significant traffic congestion, prompting the Mumbai Traffic Police to issue advisories and divert routes. While the protest has been largely peaceful, there have been isolated incidents of tension, including reports of protesters misbehaving with journalists and a plastic bottle being thrown at a political leader’s car.

In response to the escalating situation, the state government has been actively engaged in trying to find a solution. A cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservation, headed by minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, has held meetings to discuss the demands. A delegation led by retired High Court judge Sandeep Shinde, who heads a state panel on the quota, also met with Jarange Patil. However, the talks have so far failed to produce a breakthrough, with Jarange Patil remaining firm on his demand for a swift and conclusive resolution.

The government, while acknowledging the Maratha community’s concerns, has maintained that any decision on the matter must be within the legal and constitutional framework. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has stated that the government is positively considering all demands but cannot bypass legal procedures. He has also warned against the protest descending into hooliganism.

The agitation has also sparked a political tussle. Opposition parties, including the Maha Vikas Aghadi, have extended their support to Jarange Patil, while some OBC leaders, such as cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal, have warned of a counter-agitation if the Marathas are granted reservation under the OBC quota, raising concerns about the social balance. The coming days are crucial as the government is under immense pressure to find a resolution, and Manoj Jarange Patil’s decision to forgo water adds a new, urgent dimension to the protest. The city remains on edge, with security heightened and citizens facing continued disruptions as the standoff continues.