Manoj Jaranje Patil's movement for Maratha reservation continues at Azad Maidan in Mumbai. The Mumbai Police has granted him additional permission to stage the protest with a platform until today (Saturday). Jaranje Patil is on a hunger strike with the demand to grant reservations for Marathas under the OBC quota, bolstered by support from thousands across Maharashtra.
On Friday in Mumbai, the large gatherings of protesters significantly disrupted traffic flow.
Key entry points like the Vashi Bridge and Atal Setu were heavily congested. The Eastern Freeway, the Worli-Bandra Sea Link, Coastal Road, and routes in South Mumbai also faced hours-long jams. The immense crowd has left local trains bursting at the seams, leading to extended delays at CSMT station. This movement has only compounded the challenges for city dwellers amidst the rains and the Ganesh Utsav celebrations.
Jaranje Patil has boldly stated that he will not leave Mumbai, regardless of the threats that may come his way. He emphasized that until the Mahayuti government led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis concedes to the Maratha reservation demand, the movement will persist.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Uddhav Thackeray has criticized the government. He questioned why promises made in the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj before the elections have not been fulfilled. Thackeray remarked, “Mumbai is the capital of the Marathi people. The government should focus on dialogue rather than deceit.”
Government Rebuttal
In response to Uddhav's accusations, Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde have countered. Fadnavis stated that the government is committed to providing legitimate reservations to the Maratha community within the constitutional framework, and a 10% reservation is already in effect. He challenged Uddhav to specify any substantial steps he took for the Maratha society during his tenure as Chief Minister.
Shinde clarified that reservations for the Maratha community will be granted, but not at the expense of OBC community rights. He stressed the pursuit of a just solution.
Uday Samant, the Industry Minister and member of the Maratha Reservation Sub-Committee, stated that the decision to extend Jaranje Patil's protest will be made by the police. He reiterated that the government is open to dialogue and desires no unrest during the festive season.
