Maratha Agitation Storms Towards Mumbai: Manoj Jarange Vows Peaceful Yet Relentless Protest, Calls Fadnavis ‘Anti-Hindu, Anti-Maratha’

Mumbai: Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Wednesday, coinciding with Ganesh Chaturthi, took blessings of Ganpati Bappa before setting out for Mumbai with thousands of supporters from Beed, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, and other Marathwada districts. The 43-year-old leader declared that his agitation for Maratha reservation would begin on August 29 at Azad Maidan in Mumbai and would not stop until justice is secured.

Speaking at his native village Antarwali Sarathi before the march, Jarange asserted, “There will be attempts to provoke us, but we will continue our agitation peacefully. No matter how long it takes this time, we will ensure reservation for the Maratha community.”

Jarange has been demanding recognition of all Marathas as Kunbis, placing them under the OBC category to avail reservation in jobs and education. He made it clear that any talks with the government would be held openly, not behind closed doors. “A delegation might come at Shivneri. I will not sit in any room; the discussion will take place in the open. No matter who comes for talks, we will secure the Maratha quota this time,” he declared.

Before leaving for Mumbai, Jarange launched a direct attack on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, accusing him of being “anti-Hindu and anti-Maratha.” Despite restrictions, he confirmed the protest would go ahead in Mumbai. “The ball is now in the court of Fadnavis, whether he gives us permission or not,” Jarange said defiantly.

The Maharashtra government’s last-minute attempt to dissuade him failed. On Tuesday night, OSD to CM Fadnavis, Rajendra Sable Patil, met Jarange at Antarwali Sarathi, urging him to postpone the agitation due to Ganeshotsav. “I earlier spoke to Jarangeji on the phone. I requested him to share the protest route and postpone the agitation as there is Ganeshotsav,” Patil said. Jarange, however, stood firm on his decision.

Meanwhile, BJP’s Maharashtra chief spokesperson Keshav Upadhye appealed to Jarange for dialogue instead of confrontation. “Jarangeji, our stand and yours are the same. The path you have chosen through constitutional means is welcome. For constructive talks, this approach is important. Dialogue is always better than agitation,” Upadhye said in a statement on X, assuring that the government is committed to justice for the Maratha community.