Jarange-Patil's Mega March to Mumbai for Maratha Quota, Hunger Strike Looms!

Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil has announced a significant escalation in his protest, revealing plans for a massive march to Mumbai beginning September 15, which will culminate in an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan from September 19. This decisive move is aimed at pressuring the government to grant job and education quotas for the Maratha community, specifically through the issuance of Kunbi certificates.

The march is scheduled to span five days, covering approximately 100 kilometres daily through Western Maharashtra. The planned route includes stops in Patoda, Beed, on September 15, followed by Srigonda in Ahilyanagar district on September 16.

The journey will continue to Hadapsar in Pune district on September 17, and Khopoli in Raigad district on September 18, before reaching Khoparkhairane in Navi Mumbai as the final stop before entering the main city. Jarange-Patil has urged supporters to maintain order and peace throughout the march, specifically stating,

Do not resort to stone pelting no matter what the action is from the other side.

This upcoming protest follows previous rounds of activism where Jarange-Patil has been on hunger strikes, demanding that 5.8 million records be used to issue Kunbi certificates to Marathas. He has consistently alleged that the government has failed to implement its own resolutions regarding Maratha reservation and has not validated issued certificates.

The timing of this major demonstration also raises concerns as it is expected to clash with the ongoing Ganesh festival, potentially causing significant logistical challenges and traffic disruptions in the city.

Adding to the political pressure, figures like Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, have met with Jarange-Patil, criticizing the government's inaction on issues like unemployment and rural distress, suggesting these failures push activists to take extreme measures. Jarange-Patil has also made a direct appeal to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, requesting that no barriers be created to hinder the peaceful progress of the protesters as they make their way to Mumbai.

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