Mumbai Police Deny Manoj Jarange Permission for Hunger Strike, Activist Vows to March

Mumbai police on Sunday refused permission to Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange for an indefinite hunger strike in the city from September 19, citing security concerns during the Ganeshotsav festival. The refusal was conveyed in a six-page letter issued by the senior inspector of the Azad Maidan police station, turning down a formal request submitted by Jarange's team.

The order pointed to possible violations of rules governing public meetings, demonstrations and processions, and cited alleged non-compliance with venue conditions during earlier protests. Officials said security deployments were already stretched by the crowds expected for Ganpati festivities, which run from September 14 to 25, and that allowing a large demonstration at this time could create law and order problems. They also referred to heavy crowds exceeding permitted limits during last year's agitation, which caused severe traffic disruptions around Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters. Despite assurances from Jarange, they said, clearing the protest during the festival period carried significant operational risks.

Speaking at Antarwali Sarati in Jalna on the 16th day of his agitation, Jarange criticised the police decision and accused the Maharashtra government of trying to suppress his movement. He claimed the Mumbai police action went against the directives of the Bombay High Court, describing it as dictatorship and high-handedness. "Why do they assume we will violate the rules before the protest even begins? Under what law is this government functioning?" he asked, adding that his legal team would challenge the order.

On Friday, the Bombay High Court declined to pass any urgent order on a petition seeking to stop his fresh protest in the state capital. The court observed that every person has the right to protest and that no restraining order could be issued merely on the apprehension of law and order trouble.

Jarange attacked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for "disturbing peace during a Hindu festival" and said he would travel to Mumbai for the stir despite the denial of permission. Rejecting suggestions that his agitation could cause unrest during the festive season, he said, "We also celebrate Ganesh festival. The government and police are creating a conspiracy to prevent our peaceful and democratic protest." He added that while he respected the Constitution and the judiciary, he would not bow to arbitrary government directives.

Reiterating that his march to Mumbai would begin as planned on September 15, Jarange said he would stop medical treatment and fluid intake in protest against the denial of permission. He also alleged a conspiracy to kill him and create trouble during the proposed march to press for Maratha reservation. "There is a conspiracy to shoot me during the march. They do not want to kill Marathas, but want to target me. I will accept death, but I will not surrender," he said. He urged supporters not to join if they were afraid, but appealed to them to march to Mumbai and, if necessary, even join his funeral procession.

Targeting Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Jarange alleged that those in power were conspiring against him and claimed there was a plan to create trouble during the march. He warned that his supporters could politically challenge some ministers, and claimed that some Maratha MLAs from the BJP and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena were calling his supporters and asking them not to participate.

Jarange said he had earlier trusted Eknath Shinde and returned from Vashi in Navi Mumbai in January 2024 after a government resolution was issued over the Maratha quota demands. He also said he would not be intimidated by government inquiries against him or his associates, and claimed that 58 lakh Kunbi records had been found, demanding that the government issue certificates to eligible Marathas.

Among his main demands is a government resolution allowing Marathas to claim reservation available to the Kunbi community in the Other Backward Classes segment on the basis of old records and gazette documents. OBC groups have opposed the demand, saying their share of benefits will be affected. Jarange also said recent rains had brought relief to farmers after a difficult period and that agricultural work had largely been completed, making it possible for supporters to join the Mumbai agitation.

On August 29 last year, Jarange had launched an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in Mumbai to reiterate his demand for Maratha reservation. The agitation led to chaos in parts of the city and was called off after the government accepted some of his demands.