Tue Aug 26 12:02:18 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil has vowed to proceed with a hunger strike in Mumbai on August 29, 2025, despite attempts by the Maharashtra government to dissuade him. He is demanding that all Marathas be recognized as Kunbis and granted OBC status for reservation purposes. The Bombay High Court has stated he needs prior permission for the protest, prompting Jarange’s lawyers to seek relief from the court. Jarange has criticized Chief Minister Fadnavis for allegedly obstructing the quota and stated the protest will be peaceful and will not disturb Ganesh festival celebrations. The High Court has suggested alternative locations for the protest and scheduled a further hearing on the matter for September 9.
**News Article:**
**Maratha Reservation Protest Looms Over Mumbai Ahead of Ganesh Festival**
**Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, August 26, 2025:** Tensions are rising in Maharashtra as Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil remains steadfast in his plan to launch a hunger strike in Mumbai on August 29, 2025, coinciding with the Ganesh festival. Jarange is demanding OBC status for all Marathas through recognition as Kunbis, aiming for reservation benefits in education and government jobs.
Despite efforts from the state government, including a meeting between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s representative and Jarange, the activist has refused to postpone the protest. He accuses CM Fadnavis of actively hindering the Maratha community’s access to reservations.
The Bombay High Court has stipulated that Jarange requires prior permission to hold the protest, prompting his legal team to approach the court for necessary approvals. Jarange insists that his demonstration will be peaceful and will not disrupt the ongoing Ganesh festival celebrations, a major cultural event in Maharashtra. He has requested a designated route to Azad Maidan, a known protest site in South Mumbai.
The High Court has acknowledged the importance of peaceful demonstration but also highlighted the burden on law enforcement during the Ganesh festival. It has suggested alternative locations for the protest, such as Khargar in Navi Mumbai, and has scheduled a hearing for September 9 to further address the matter. The court has issued a notice to Mr. Jarange, seeking his response.
Chief Minister Fadnavis has appealed for calm, hoping that those considering themselves as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s true followers will not disturb Ganesh Chaturthi. The situation remains fluid as the state government, the courts, and the Maratha community grapple with the sensitive issue of reservation and the right to peaceful protest.
First Piper 