At Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, one man’s silence is louder than the city’s noise. Manoj Jarange-Patil has entered the second day of his indefinite hunger strike, demanding that the Maratha community be granted a reservation under the OBC quota. Around him, thousands of supporters wait in the heat, their presence blocking traffic but also making visible a demand that refuses to be ignored.
Government’s Promises, People’s Doubts
In the corridors of power, the state cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservation met. Senior BJP minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil told the press that “some decisions” had been taken. Retired Justice Sandeep Shinde and Divisional Commissioner Vijay Suryawanshi will communicate them to Jarange. But what exactly are these decisions? Are they genuine steps or just another attempt to buy time?
Jarange’s Anger and Defiance
Jarange’s message was blunt: “We are not asking to snatch anyone’s quota. We want our rightful place in OBC based on our Kunbi roots. Do not insult poor Marathas.”
He accused ministers of spreading confusion to weaken the agitation. Even basic facilities—drinking water, toilets—for the protestors were not provided properly, forcing him to request volunteers to manage traffic themselves so ordinary citizens are not inconvenienced.
Meanwhile, in Nagpur, members of the OBC community have started a chain hunger strike of their own, fearful that their share will shrink if Marathas are included. They plan to march to Mumbai in two weeks, asking Jarange to defend their reservation.
Politics in the Background
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is in Mumbai and is expected to be briefed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. But will this high-level conversation translate into action, or will it remain confined to official briefings while the crowd at Azad Maidan grows restless?
For now, Jarange-Patil remains firm: he will not end his fast until the government delivers. The people sitting with him echo the same line—
“We are not leaving until justice is done.”
