Maratha Reservation: Activist Manoj Jarange Gives 'Chalo Mumbai' Call, Terms It 'Last Fight'

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Sunday (August 24) issued a rallying call to the community, urging them to join what he described as the "last fight" for reservation under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.

Speaking at a gathering in Manjarsumba, Beed district, Jarange announced that he will begin a march from his native Antarwali Sarati village (Jalna district) on August 27, culminating in a protest at Azad Maidan, Mumbai, on August 29. The demand: reservation for Marathas in education and government jobs.

"If the turnout is weak, the government won't feel the pressure. When we reach Mumbai, the real fight will begin. This is our last fight, and we will not return without the quota," Jarange told the crowd.

Warning to State Government

Jarange directly targeted Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, accusing him of attempting to obstruct the movement. He cautioned the government against using the police to derail what he insists will remain a peaceful protest. Instead, Jarange demanded that the administration focus on unresolved cases such as the killing of Mahadev Munde, rather than clamping down on demonstrators.

A Call for Discipline

Reiterating his commitment to non-violence, the activist urged supporters to maintain discipline. "No one should panic or retaliate if provoked. Those throwing stones are not part of our community - they may be planted by political conspiracies. If you see such elements, hand them over to the police," he said.

With the march just days away, Jarange's words have set the stage for a high-stakes showdown in Mumbai. For the Maratha community, the protest at Azad Maidan could mark a decisive chapter in their decades-long demand for quota.