"Manoj Jarange issues warning against government testing; Maratha quota demonstrations set for August 31st at Azad Maidan in Mumbai"
In the heart of Mumbai, the city known for its relentless pace, traffic outside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) came to a standstill on Friday as agitators spilled onto key roads, forcing the police to intervene. The cause of this disruption? An indefinite hunger strike led by Manoj Jarange, a Maratha quota activist, at Azad Maidan.
Jarange, along with thousands of supporters, braved heavy overnight rain and ankle-deep mud to join him at Azad Maidan. This is his eighth protest since 2023, with the current one demanding a 10% reservation under the Other Backward Class (OBC) category for the Maratha community from the Maharashtra government.
Jarange has accused Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of trying to create instability and vitiate the atmosphere in the state. He has also accused the Maharashtra government of spreading misinformation and failing to provide basic amenities for protesters, including food, water, and sanitation. Protesters at Azad Maidan have echoed these complaints, alleging that nearby shops had been forced shut due to the protests.
The Opposition leaders suggest that the Centre must relax the 50% cap on reservations and conduct a caste census if the issue is to be resolved. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), the ruling coalition in Maharashtra, has accused the ruling Mahayuti government of failing to manage the situation.
In response, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has reiterated that the state will seek a solution within the constitutional framework. A government delegation led by retired Justice Sandeep Shinde will hold talks with Jarange. Justice Sandeep Shinde heads the committee verifying Kunbi records of the Maratha community, a move that Jarange believes will help in recognizing the Marathas as an agrarian caste already listed under OBC, thereby securing the demanded 10% reservation.
The Ganesh festival is underway, and Mumbai traffic is already paralysed, increasing pressure on the state government to strike a deal quickly. The Mumbai police has extended the permission to protest granted to Jarange by another day, allowing his indefinite hunger strike to continue at Azad Maidan on Sunday, 31 August.
Jarange emphasizes that he is not seeking to cut into the OBC quota, but only demanding "the rightful share" for his community. The situation remains tense at Azad Maidan, with protesters continuing their indefinite hunger strike, hoping for a resolution that acknowledges their demands.
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