The BRICS TimesThe 43-year-old activist has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan, South Mumbai, since Friday.
Activist Manoj Jarange Patil during his indefinite hunger strike demanding Maratha reservation, at Azad Maidan, in Mumbai.(PTI)
Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil, who has launched an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in Mumbai seeking reservation for the Maratha community, has announced that he will not leave the city until his demands are addressed, according to PTI reports on Sunday.
The 43-year-old began his fast on Friday, pressing for a 10% quota for Marathas and demanding that the community be recognised as Kunbis—a farming sub-caste. He has asked the government to issue ‘Kunbi certificates’ to all Marathas so they can be included in the OBC category and avail of reservation benefits.
Declaring his next move, Jarange said, “From tomorrow, I will stop drinking water since the government is ignoring our demands. I will not return home until Marathas secure reservation under OBC. This will be achieved no matter what.”
He further stated that their demand was constitutionally sound and backed by government records showing 58 lakh Marathas listed as Kunbis. He added that community members would continue arriving in Mumbai whenever possible to join the agitation.
“Don’t dismiss protesters as mere crowd”: Jarange tells govt
Jarange urged the Maharashtra government to recognise the pain of the protesters instead of treating them as a crowd. Large gatherings of Maratha agitators were seen at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), which disrupted traffic at the junction and nearby roads.
The Mumbai Traffic Police, in a post on X, advised commuters to avoid the affected routes and use alternatives.
As the Agitation at Azad Maidan still continues, agitators are present at CSMT Junction Impacting traffic in the area and near by junctions.
— Mumbai Traffic Police (@MTPHereToHelp) August 31, 2025
Motorist are advised to avoid these route and take alternate route to reach their destination. #MTPTrafficUpdate
In the meantime, Jarange appealed to supporters to use designated parking areas and rely on trains to reach Azad Maidan for the ongoing protest.
