Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Court Refuses to Stop Manoj Jarange’s Mumbai March
Manoj Jarange is protesting for reservation benefits for the Maratha community.
He is holding a hunger strike in Maharashtra.
He says he and his supporters will march to Mumbai, even if the government does not give permission.
The Bombay High Court was asked to stop the march.
The judges said they could not stop a protest just because people were worried that it might cause trouble.
They said the government could deal with any law-and-order problems.
The court also told officials to provide Jarange medical help if he needs it.
Doctors are monitoring him after he received intravenous fluids and complained of a headache and nausea.
The Bombay High Court declined to prohibit Manoj Jarange’s proposed march to Mumbai.
The court said Maharashtra authorities could handle any law-and-order problems that arise.
Judges said a protest could not be stopped solely because of fears about possible disruption.
Jarange said supporters would march with or without government permission and would decide the date, route and strategy at a meeting.
Jarange is demanding Maratha reservation benefits, while officials are monitoring his health during his 14th day of hunger strike.
- Who
- Manoj Jarange, his supporters, the Bombay High Court, the Maharashtra government, and petitioners Nilesh Dahanukar and Rajesh Dalvi.
- What
- The Bombay High Court refused to prohibit Jarange’s proposed Mumbai march and directed authorities to provide medical assistance if required.
- When
- The ruling and Jarange’s statements were reported on Friday; supporters were due to meet on Saturday to decide the march date, route and strategy.
- Where
- Jarange is protesting at Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district, and the proposed march is to Mumbai.
- Why
- Jarange is seeking reservation for the Maratha community, including a Government Resolution allowing Maratha-Kunbis to claim reservation available to the Kunbi community under the OBC quota; petitioners cited concerns about possible disruption.
Court and Government Position
Jarange and Petitioners’ Positions
Whether the march should be stopped in advance
Court and Government Position
The court said it could not issue a prohibitory order based only on apprehension and that the state was capable of handling any law-and-order situation.
Jarange and Petitioners’ Positions
Mumbai residents Nilesh Dahanukar and Rajesh Dalvi asked the court to stop the proposed march because they feared disruption similar to last year.
Permission for the march
Court and Government Position
The Advocate General said the government had not received an application seeking permission for a protest in Mumbai.
Jarange and Petitioners’ Positions
Jarange said he and his supporters would go to Mumbai whether or not the government granted permission.
How the government should respond
Court and Government Position
The court said authorities could act if anyone violated the law and encouraged the state government to speak with Jarange.
Jarange and Petitioners’ Positions
Jarange and Abhijeet Dipke urged the government to engage with him and warned against harassment or forcibly intervening in the agitation.
- Court
- Bombay High Court
- Judges
- Chief Justice M C Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna
- Protest leader
- Manoj Jarange
- Protest location
- Antarwali Sarati village, Jalna district
- Hunger strike
- Jarange’s indefinite hunger strike had entered its 14th day on Friday
- Health update
- Jarange received four intravenous fluid treatments and was being monitored by doctors
- Government position
- The Advocate General said the government had not received an application from Jarange seeking permission for a Mumbai protest
- Demand
- Reservation for the Maratha community in jobs and education, including a Government Resolution concerning Maratha-Kunbis
