Manoj Jarange Marches to Mumbai for Maratha Reservation

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil began a march from Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district toward Mumbai on September 15, 2026. Jarange Patil intends to launch an indefinite fast-unto-death at Azad Maidan on September 19 to demand that the Maratha community be included in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. His health has reportedly deteriorated as he has stopped accepting medical treatment and saline during his ongoing hunger strike.

The Greater Mumbai Police have denied permission for the protest three times, citing law and order concerns during the Ganeshotsav festival. Jarange Patil characterized these denials as "high-handedness" and "dictatorship," vowing to challenge the orders in court and proceed with the march regardless of the restrictions.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde have urged the activist to reconsider the timing of the protest to avoid inconveniencing festival devotees. Fadnavis stated that the government has accepted 12 of the 13 demands raised by protesters that were considered legally valid, while the remaining issues are pending in court. Jarange Patil has rejected these assurances, accusing the government of betrayal and using delay tactics to cheat the Maratha community.

The convoy is traveling over 400 kilometers through Beed, Ahilyanagar, Pune, and Raigad under state security. While the police rejected initial applications, a third, more restricted application for the protest is currently under consideration.