new delhi, Aug 25
Maratha reservation agitation leader Jarange-Patil on Monday announced that he would lead a massive march of thousands of Marathas to Mumbai’s Azad Maidan on August 29, coinciding with Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, to press for job reservations for the community.
Speaking to reporters in Antarwali Sarathi village of Jalna district, Jarange-Patil said the march would begin on August 27, the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, and culminate in Mumbai on August 29, where he and his supporters would launch an indefinite hunger strike. “Deputy CM Fadnavis, you have the opportunity to grant reservations to the Marathas—make the most of it. We will leave from Antarwali on August 27 and reach Mumbai on August 29 with Ganpati Bappa. Some people are trying to stop us, but we will enter Mumbai peacefully with our deity. Those who indulge in violence are not with us; if anyone does so, we will hand them over to the police,” Jarange-Patil said. Reminding the government of pending promises, he alleged that “Fadnavis is insulting the Maratha community and does not want to give reservations.” He pointed out that during the previous Eknath Shinde-led government, BJP leader Girish Mahajan had accepted that Marathas and Kunbis are one community, yet reservations continue to be denied. “No Maratha should stay home—everyone must march to Mumbai,” he urged.
Among his key demands, Jarange-Patil called for immediate withdrawal of police cases against Maratha youth and financial assistance for families of those who lost their lives in the agitation. “The government has been given a deadline of August 26. If our demands are not met, the government can even be overthrown,” he warned. Issuing a stern caution, he said, “We want a peaceful protest, but if even a single Maratha boy is beaten in Mumbai, no road will remain safe. We will not return without reservation. No matter what obstacles the government creates, we will not step back. Mumbai is ours, the state is ours, and reservation is our right.”
Criticizing the state’s caste policies, he asked, “Why did the Chief Minister include 29 castes in the OBC list but exclude Marathas? Why is the Hyderabad Gazette not being implemented despite Kunbi caste records being available?”
He further cautioned against attempts to pit Marathas against OBCs. “Our fight is not for casteism but for our rights. We are protesting while upholding Hindu culture and Warkari traditions. If reservations are not granted, BJP MLAs will not be allowed to enter villages. If we are harassed in Mumbai, we will shut down the state.
Do not mistake our peacefulness for weakness—if the Marathas rise, no power can stop us,” he declared.
