Mumbai Police Deny Permission for Maratha Quota Hunger Strike Amid Security Concerns

Mumbai Police have officially denied permission for Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil to conduct an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan, scheduled to commence on September 19. In a six-page refusal letter issued by the Azad Maidan police station, senior inspector Raja Bidkar cited significant operational risks, noting that the ongoing Ganeshotsav festival has already stretched police resources. The authorities further pointed to potential violations of public meeting regulations and cited traffic disruptions and crowd control challenges encountered during previous protests at the same venue.

Despite the formal denial, Jarange-Patil, who is currently on the 16th day of his hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district, has vowed to proceed with his planned march to Mumbai starting September 15. He characterized the police decision as an act of dictatorship and high-handedness, asserting that his legal team would challenge the order in court. The activist also claimed that the police action contradicts recent observations from the Bombay High Court, which on September 11 declined to issue an urgent restraining order against his protest, noting that the right to demonstrate cannot be curtailed solely based on the apprehension of law and order issues.

Beyond the administrative dispute, Jarange-Patil has leveled serious allegations against the state government, claiming there is a conspiracy to target him during the upcoming march. He alleged that there are plans to shoot him during the transit to Mumbai, stating, There is a conspiracy to shoot me during the march. They do not want to kill Marathas, but want to target me. I will accept death, but I will not surrender. He further accused Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of orchestrating efforts to suppress the agitation and creating trouble during the festive period.

Jarange-Patil also claimed that certain Maratha legislators from the BJP and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena have been actively discouraging his supporters from participating in the march. He warned that his movement would respond politically to such opposition, stating that his supporters would have to respond when someone steps on the tail of a snake. The activist reiterated his primary demand: the issuance of a Government Resolution (GR) that would allow Marathas to claim reservation benefits under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category by utilizing old Kunbi records and gazette documents. This demand remains a point of contention, as OBC groups have consistently opposed the inclusion of Marathas in their quota segment.

As the standoff intensifies, Jarange-Patil has declared his intention to cease medical treatment and fluid intake as a form of protest against the denial of permission. While the police have maintained that the refusal is based on public safety and the logistical demands of the Ganeshotsav festivities, the activist has framed the situation as a constitutional battle. The legal team representing Jarange-Patil is currently preparing to challenge the police refusal in court, while the march to Mumbai remains scheduled to begin on September 15.