The Maratha quota agitation, spearheaded by activist Manoj Jarange-Patil, intensified on its second day at Azad Maidan, emerging as a critical issue in Maharashtra’s 2025 election year. Thousands of Maratha supporters, far exceeding the police’s 5,000-person limit, rallied to demand a 10% reservation under the OBC category by recognizing Marathas as Kunbis, an agrarian caste eligible for OBC benefits. Jarange, continuing his indefinite hunger strike, vowed to remain until demands are met, threatening to stop drinking water in two days if the government delays action.
Heavy rainfall overnight and inadequate amenities, including locked toilets and limited food and water, tested protesters’ resolve. Jarange accused the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of deliberately creating hardships, alleging attempts to divide Marathas and OBCs. “We’re not asking for OBC quota cuts, just our rightful inclusion,” he clarified, addressing supporters amidst traffic chaos near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.
The Maharashtra government extended the Genealogy Committee’s term to June 2026 to issue Kunbi caste certificates, signaling willingness to negotiate. A cabinet sub-committee, led by Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, met to discuss Jarange’s demands, with Fadnavis promising a “constitutional solution.” However, OBC leaders cautioned against unconstitutional concessions, fearing backlash from their communities.
Opposition leaders, including Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress’s Harshvardhan Sapkal, visited Azad Maidan, urging immediate dialogue. Thackeray criticized the Mahayuti alliance for betraying Marathas, positioning the MVA as a community ally. The protest’s scale, with supporters from Marathwada, Vidarbha, and Pune, disrupted Mumbai’s Eastern Freeway and nearby roads, prompting traffic advisories.
As the sun set on Azad Maidan, Jarange’s movement, backed by an estimated 40,000 supporters, stood as a powerful testament to the Maratha community’s resolve. With local polls approaching, the government faces mounting pressure to address Maratha demands without alienating OBCs. Today’s events at Azad Maidan mark a pivotal moment, highlighting the delicate balance between social justice and electoral strategy in Maharashtra’s volatile political landscape.
