Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil has stepped up his campaign for Maratha quota and Kunbi certificates, calling on supporters across Maharashtra to prepare for a possible mobilisation towards Mumbai.
Jarange is currently on a hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati, where he has been pressing the Maharashtra government to act on the community’s reservation demands. During the agitation, he appealed to Marathas to gradually make their way towards Mumbai and asked supporters to arrange accommodation in the city.
According to News18 Marathi, Jarange said, “There are at least one to two lakh Maratha houses in Mumbai. Therefore, everyone should find their guests to stay in Mumbai for the next six days. However, for now, no one should go to the Chief Minister’s residence, ‘Varsha’ bungalow and Azad Maidan. Stay wherever you can find a place in Mumbai, but avoid going to these two important places for now.”
Jarange calls for disciplined agitation
While urging supporters to prepare for the proposed mobilisation, Jarange stressed that the protest should remain peaceful and disciplined. He also asked protesters to cooperate with the police and comply with official instructions.
“We want to protest in a disciplined manner. In the next few days, at least five to fifty lakh Maratha youth should move towards Mumbai,” Jarange said.
He further advised those participating in the agitation to appear before the police if summoned to a police station.
Jarange has also spoken about adopting a “guerrilla warfare” strategy during the agitation, as he seeks to put pressure on the state government over the reservation issue.
Possible Mumbai mobilisation raises security concerns
The possibility of a major protest gathering in Mumbai has attracted attention from authorities, particularly with Ganeshotsav approaching. A large influx of protesters could create additional challenges for traffic management and law-and-order arrangements in the city.
Jarange and his supporters had earlier travelled to Mumbai during the Ganeshotsav period for a protest. The large gathering affected traffic movement in parts of South Mumbai, prompting authorities to impose restrictions and close some roads.
With the hunger strike continuing and Jarange asking supporters to prepare for a possible movement towards Mumbai, the Maharashtra government and police will be closely watching developments over the next few days.
