Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Maharashtra Minister Urges Jarange to Halt Mumbai Quota Agitation
Manoj Jarange is leading a protest seeking reservation benefits for the Maratha community.
He is traveling toward Mumbai while continuing a hunger strike.
Maharashtra minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil asked him to stop the planned protest during the Ganesh festival.
The minister said the government is ready to talk instead of using force.
He said discussions could help solve the reservation issue.
The government is worried that a large protest could disrupt festival travel and activities.
Some community members believe former chief minister Eknath Shinde let them down.
The government says it has already taken several steps on the issue.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said police are responsible for maintaining law and order.
Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil urged Manoj Jarange to cancel his planned Mumbai agitation during the Ganesh festival.
Vikhe Patil said the government was willing to discuss the Maratha reservation issue with the community and its representatives.
He said the government had no plan to use force and wanted to resolve the issue through dialogue.
Jarange, whose hunger strike entered its 19th day, was traveling from Beed toward Mumbai and was scheduled to arrive on September 19.
The minister said the government wanted to prevent inconvenience to Ganesh festival devotees and avoid any untoward incident.
- Who
- Maharashtra minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil urged Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange to call off his planned agitation.
- What
- Jarange is planning a protest in Mumbai while continuing a hunger strike over Maratha reservation demands.
- When
- The appeal was made on Wednesday, while Jarange's hunger strike was in its 19th day; he was scheduled to reach Mumbai on September 19.
- Where
- Jarange was traveling from Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district through Beed, Ahilyanagar, Pune and Khopoli toward Mumbai.
- Why
- Vikhe Patil cited the ongoing Ganesh festival, concerns about inconvenience to devotees and the need to avoid any untoward incident.
Government's Appeal
Activist's Planned Agitation
Timing of the protest
Government's Appeal
The government says the agitation should be called off during the Ganesh festival because it could inconvenience devotees and create law-and-order concerns.
Activist's Planned Agitation
Jarange continued his hunger strike and journey toward Mumbai, with the planned agitation scheduled during the festival period.
How to resolve the quota issue
Government's Appeal
Vikhe Patil says the matter can be resolved through dialogue and that the government remains open to discussions with community representatives.
Activist's Planned Agitation
Jarange's continuing fast and planned Mumbai protest show that the activist is maintaining pressure for the community's reservation demands.
Assessment of earlier government action
Government's Appeal
The government says it took several steps, including creating opportunities for about 5,500 children and initiating the SEBC process.
Activist's Planned Agitation
Some members of the Maratha community say former chief minister Eknath Shinde betrayed them after they had placed their trust in him.
- Minister
- Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Maharashtra's water resources minister and head of the cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservation
- Protest leader
- Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange
- Hunger strike
- Jarange's fast had entered its 19th day
- Planned arrival
- Jarange was scheduled to reach Mumbai on September 19
- Government position
- The government said it was ready for dialogue and had no plan to use force to stop the agitation
- Festival concern
- The minister said the government wanted to prevent inconvenience to Ganesh festival devotees and avoid an untoward incident
- Previous protest
- Jarange's previous hunger strike at Azad Maidan brought south Mumbai to a standstill, according to the report