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Planned Protests Could Disrupt Mumbai’s Ganesh Utsav Celebrations
Mumbai is preparing for its large Ganesh festival, which lasts 10 days.
This year, several groups may travel to the city to hold protests.
Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil is on hunger strike and may lead supporters to Mumbai.
A tribal student coalition plans to march between September 15 and 20.
Dhangar groups also want to protest over their community’s classification.
Some Other Backward Classes groups had planned a counterprotest but postponed it.
Police are worried because a similar protest last year blocked parts of South Mumbai for nearly three days.
The government is trying to respond to the demands while police prepare for both worshippers and protesters.
Multiple groups have issued “Chalo Mumbai” calls during the 10-day Ganesh Utsav festival.
Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil has threatened to march to Mumbai if his demands are not accepted.
The Sakal Adivasi Vidyarthi Andolan plans a September 15–20 march over tribal student welfare issues.
Dhangar groups are seeking Scheduled Tribe status instead of classification as a Nomadic Tribe.
Mumbai Police face the combined challenge of managing festival crowds, protests and law and order.
- Who
- Manoj Jarange Patil, the Sakal Adivasi Vidyarthi Andolan, Dhangar groups and other protesting communities.
- What
- Several groups may hold marches and protests in Mumbai during Ganesh Utsav.
- Where
- Mumbai, with Jarange Patil’s hunger strike taking place in Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district.
- When
- During the 10-day Ganesh Utsav; the tribal student coalition announced a march between September 15 and 20.
- Why
- The groups are seeking demands including Maratha-related concessions, improved tribal student facilities and Scheduled Tribe status for Dhangars.
Protesters’ Demands
Government And Police Concerns
Maratha agitation
Protesters’ Demands
Manoj Jarange Patil and his supporters may march to Mumbai if the government does not accept their demands.
Government And Police Concerns
The government is trying to placate Patil, while police seek to avoid a repeat of last year’s disruption in South Mumbai.
Tribal student welfare
Protesters’ Demands
The Sakal Adivasi Vidyarthi Andolan is demanding safer residential ashrams, better hostels, hygienic food and the resignation of some officials.
Government And Police Concerns
The planned march adds to the law-and-order responsibilities police face during the festival.
Community classification
Protesters’ Demands
Dhangar groups want their community included in the Scheduled Tribe list instead of being classified as a Nomadic Tribe.
Government And Police Concerns
The article does not report a government response to this demand, but the proposed protest could add to the city’s crowd-management challenge.
Key facts
- Festival
- Ganesh Utsav, a 10-day celebration in Mumbai
- Main protest leader
- Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil
- Jarange Patil’s action
- He is on hunger strike in Antarwali Sarati village, Jalna district
- Tribal student march
- Planned for September 15–20
- Tribal student demands
- Ashram safety, improved hostels, hygienic food and officials’ resignations
- Dhangar demand
- Inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe list rather than classification as a Nomadic Tribe
- Police concern
- Managing festival crowds, demonstrations and law and order
Quotes
A government official
An unnamed official discussing government efforts to prevent a repeat of last year’s disruption in South Mumbai
“Seeking to avoid a repeat, the government is making all efforts to placate Patil.”
NDTV
Sources
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