Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil has issued a strong ultimatum to the Maharashtra government, declaring that he will mobilise lakhs of supporters for a massive protest march to Mumbai on August 29, coinciding with Ganeshotsav, if the community’s demand for reservation is not fulfilled. His warning has significantly escalated the tension around the long-standing issue of Maratha reservation, drawing sharp attention from both the state administration and law enforcement agencies.
In light of this, the Maharashtra cabinet convened on Monday to deliberate on the growing agitation. During the meeting, the cabinet decided to restructure the sub-committee on the Maratha reservation matter and also extended the tenure of the Justice Sandeep Shinde Committee by six months. This committee has been tasked with examining whether Marathas can be granted Kunbi certificates based on historical records from the Hyderabad Gazette, which could potentially pave the way for their inclusion in the OBC category.
Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, the newly appointed chairman of the cabinet sub-committee, acknowledged that legal challenges continue to obstruct a quick resolution. However, he assured that the government remains committed to addressing the demands of the Maratha community. Vikhe Patil urged Jarange to reconsider his call for protests during Ganeshotsav, warning that the agitation could lead to serious law-and-order challenges during the festive season.
On the political front, BJP leader and minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule came out in defence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, while also criticising the sharp tone of Jarange’s statements. He stressed that such rhetoric was inconsistent with Maharashtra’s cultural traditions and called on protesters to postpone their march in order to allow the festival to proceed without disruptions.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies have also taken note of the developments. Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti and Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla held a meeting with Chief Minister Fadnavis to review the security implications of a possible large-scale mobilisation. Adding to the complexity, the Bombay High Court has barred Jarange from holding protests at Azad Maidan, a traditional hub for demonstrations in Mumbai, and has instead suggested alternative venues like Kharghar in Navi Mumbai. This ruling has cast uncertainty over the activist’s planned march, as his next move remains undecided.
Amid these developments, political circles are closely watching Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s scheduled visit to his native village, Dare, which comes at a time of mounting pressure on the ruling coalition. With the Maratha reservation agitation entering a critical phase, the government faces the twin challenge of finding a legally sustainable solution while maintaining social harmony during one of Maharashtra’s most important festivals.
