Manoj Jarange, the prominent Maratha reservation activist, left Jalna for Mumbai on Tuesday morning, carrying forward a struggle that has defined much of Maharashtra's recent political landscape. Jarange has been on a hunger strike for 17 consecutive days, marking what would be the 11th such fast in just three years — a testament to his relentless pursuit of reservation rights for the Maratha community.
His core demand centers on extending Other Backward Class (OBC) reservation benefits to those Marathas whose community records are linked to the Kunbi caste, a farming community historically classified under the backward categories. For decades, Maratha leaders have argued that many Maratha families trace their ancestry to Kunist lineage, and these communities deserve representation in government jobs and educational institutions under the OBC quota.
Upon arrival in Mumbai, Jarange and his supporters face a significant obstacle: the Mumbai Police have refused to grant permission for protests at Azad Maidan, one of India's most iconic venues for public demonstrations and political rallies. The venue, located in the heart of South Mumbai near the Gateway of India, has historically hosted some of the largest gatherings in the state's political history, including landmark rallies during the independence movement and subsequent regional agitations.
Jarange previously organized large-scale mobilizations, bringing thousands of Marathas from various parts of Maharashtra to Mumbai to amplify their demands. However, heightened police vigilance and strict enforcement of movement restrictions have made such mass marches increasingly difficult. Authorities have been apprehensive about potential disruptions to civic life and have taken a hardline stance against未经授權 protests.
The Maratha reservation issue has long simmered in Maharashtra politics, periodically erupting into mass agitation whenever perceived setbacks occur in legislative or judicial processes. The community, which constitutes a significant voting bloc in the state, has been pressing for legal guarantees of reservation since the Maharashtra State Commission for Backward Classes recommended their inclusion in the OBC list years ago.
As Jarange begins this latest leg of his protest, observers are watching closely to see whether he will attempt alternative venues for demonstration or continue his hunger strike in a confined setting, given the denial of access to Azad Maidan.
