Mumbai : Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange has intensified his indefinite hunger strike, now in its fourth day at Azad Maidan, by vowing to stop consuming water starting Monday. Jarange, leading a large-scale protest for Maratha reservation under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, remains steadfast, declaring he will not leave until the government meets his demands, even in the face of severe measures. He demands a government resolution (GR) recognizing Marathas as Kunbis, an agrarian caste eligible for OBC benefits, based on existing records. The Hindu reported Jarange’s assertion that 58 lakh records link Marathas to Kunbis, emphasizing that only those seeking reservation should be classified as such to avoid legal issues.
The Maharashtra government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, stated on Sunday it would seek legal advice on implementing the Hyderabad gazetteer to grant Kunbi status to Marathas. However, Jarange dismissed these efforts, insisting on immediate action. The protest, which has drawn thousands of supporters, has disrupted South Mumbai, prompting Mumbai Police to issue traffic advisories for Monday due to expected congestion around Azad Maidan.
Tensions rose as Maratha protesters blocked NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule’s car after her visit to Jarange, raising slogans against Sharad Pawar. Sule called for a special legislative session to address the issue. Meanwhile, the TV Journalists Association reported misconduct by some protesters toward women reporters, threatening to boycott coverage if such incidents persist. BJP leaders criticized Pawar’s suggestion of a constitutional amendment to lift the Supreme Court’s 52% quota cap, while NCP minister Chhagan Bhujbal opposed diluting the OBC quota.
Jarange urged his supporters to maintain peace, condemning incidents of unrest and emphasizing respect for visitors, including media. The ongoing agitation has sparked a political blame game, with traders urging government intervention to restore normalcy in South Mumbai. The Maharashtra government faces mounting pressure to resolve the issue within legal bounds.