Manoj Jarange is set to escalate the Maratha quota agitation with an indefinite hunger strike at Mumbai's Azad Maidan from September 19.
Key Points
- Manoj Jarange to lead an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan, Mumbai, starting September 19, demanding Maratha reservation.
- A march towards Mumbai will commence on September 15, covering approximately 100 km daily through various districts.
- Jarange emphasizes peaceful protest and warns the Maharashtra government against obstructing the march, holding CM Fadnavis responsible for any hindrances.
- The primary demand is for a Government Resolution to include Marathas in the OBC category based on Kunbi records, a move opposed by other OBC groups.
- The Bombay High Court has affirmed the right to protest, refusing to issue an urgent order to stop the agitation.
Activist Manoj Jarange announced that he and his supporters would start an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in Mumbai from September 19 for Maratha quota in jobs and education. This stir comes amid the heavily-patronised Ganpati festivities, which run from September 14 to 25.
Jarange stated at a press conference in Antarwali Sarati that his current stir had entered its 15th day, and he would begin his march towards Mumbai from September 15.
Maratha Quota March Route Details
The protesters marching towards Mumbai will halt in Patoda in Beed on September 15, Srigonda in Ahilyanagar district the next day, Hadapsar in Pune district on September 17, Khopoli in Raigad district on September 18, before camping in Khoparkhairane in Navi Mumbai and proceeding to the metropolis.
Jarange mentioned that the protesters would cover around 100 kilometres each day before reaching their designated halting points.
The indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai is scheduled to begin at 10 am on September 19.
"We have to continue the agitation peacefully until we return from Mumbai with reservation for our community. No one should resort to stone-pelting or arson. Vehicles should be driven properly and everyone should follow the code of conduct. We want to protest through democratic means and secure our rightful demand," Jarange said.
Appeals and Government Stance
He appealed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to not create hurdles for the protesters.
"Fadnavis should not stop the Maratha community and I believe he will not do that. If police try to stop us with barricades, agitators should stop there and sit on the roads but should not touch the barricades. They should find an alternative route and reach the agitation site," Jarange said.
He added that if protesters are stopped, then the responsibility for such actions will be on Fadnavis.
Accusing the state government of not implementing gazette-related demands and failure in issuing caste certificates based on 58 lakh Kunbi records, Jarange asserted, "We will take this issue to Mumbai. This is the final fight and not a single Maratha should remain at home."
Women who wish to participate in the agitation should join after the Mahalaxmi festival by making peaceful visits to the residences of Amruta Fadnavis, wife of CM Fadnavis, and Lata Shinde, wife of Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, and hold traditional 'haldi-kumkum' programmes to convey their demand for reservation, Jarange said.
Legal Context and Core Demands
Jarange's hunger strike in Mumbai in August-September last year had brought parts of the city, including those around the sprawling Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), to a standstill.
On Friday, the Bombay high court refused to pass any urgent order on a petition seeking to stop his fresh protest in the state capital.
The court stated that every person has the right to protest and no restraining order can be issued merely on the apprehension of law and order trouble.
Among Jarange's main demands is that a Government Resolution (GR) be issued allowing Marathas to claim reservation available to the Kunbi community in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) segment on the back of old records and gazette documents.
This, however, is vehemently opposed by OBC groups who believe their share of benefits will be affected.
