Maratha quota stir enters sixth day; highways blocked across Marathwada

Maratha reservation protests intensified for a sixth consecutive day on Thursday, with supporters of activist Manoj Jarange Patil blocking major national highways across the Marathwada region. The demonstrations are aimed at pressuring the state government to accept a fresh set of demands related to quota implementation.

Mr. Jarange Patil, who is on an indefinite fast at Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district, has agreed to receive IV fluids without ending his hunger strike. He has given the government two days to respond, stating he will continue fasting until the issues are resolved.

Authorities noted a steady increase in the number of people arriving at the protest site. In solidarity, a bandh was observed in Jalna on Thursday, with similar shutdowns reported in Beed and Dharashiv districts.

Traffic on several key routes, including the Dhule-Solapur highway, Nanded-Bidar road, Kalam-Latur road, and the Tuljapur-Hyderabad road, was disrupted for periods. Protests also affected movement in parts of Pune's Indapur region. In Hingoli district, shutdowns were reported in Shengaon, Jawala Bazar, Goregaon, and the Wasmat area.

Commuters faced difficulties as bus services were blocked at the Dharashiv central bus stand, while a bike rally was held at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk in Beed city. Protesters argue that the government has remained indifferent to their cause and that community members must stand united.

This marks Mr. Jarange Patil's 11th agitation in three years. His demands include implementing reservation based on the Hyderabad and Satara gazettes, issuing certificates to approximately 58 lakh Kunbi families, and validating existing certificates. Meanwhile, the government has extended the tenure of the Sandeep Shinde committee by one year, until June 30, 2027, through a notification dated August 25.