Jarange’s Mumbai stir: Health concerns grow after 18-day fast; Fadnavis flags protest timing

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange on Tuesday began his march from Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district to Mumbai, setting the stage for another showdown with state govt. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis appealed for a protest that does not disrupt Ganeshotsav.Eighteen days into his indefinite hunger strike, Jarange left his Jalna village around noon and announced that he would resume his fast at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan on Sept 19. His convoy is expected to travel more than 400 km through Beed, Ahilyanagar, Pune and Raigad before reaching the state capital.The march comes amid uncertainty over permission for the proposed protest. Mumbai Police have already rejected two applications seeking permission for an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan. A fresh application, this time seeking permission for a gathering of 50 people and assuring compliance with all conditions, remains under consideration.Addressing reporters on Tuesday, Fadnavis said, “Police had rejected Jarange’s application seeking permission to protest in Mumbai. Police will decide on any fresh application based on its merits.”The chief minister maintained that govt had already addressed most of the movement’s demands. “Govt has accepted 12 of the 13 demands raised by the Maratha protesters that were legally valid,” Fadnavis said, adding that legal constraints prevented action on the remaining demands.“I feel that instead of taking such a position during the festive days, they should take a decision so that people do not face any inconvenience,” he added.Jarange, however, accused govt of repeatedly failing the Maratha community and vowed to continue the agitation.“I will not surrender before govt,” he said, adding the protest was aimed at securing justice for Maratha youth and future generations.Earlier in the day, Jarange underwent a health check-up, offered prayers at a Hanuman temple and then set out with a small convoy of supporters. Crowds gathered along the route, raising slogans and greeting the activist. The response slowed his movement considerably, with the convoy covering barely 22 km in nearly six hours before heading towards Patoda in Beed district.Concern over Jarange’s health continues to grow. He has reportedly stopped accepting medical treatment and saline after police denied permission for the Mumbai protest. His supporters fear his condition may worsen during the journey.His wife, Sumitra Jarange, blamed govt for forcing him back onto the streets. “Govt is incapable of understanding us. If they had taken decisions earlier, he would not have set out for Mumbai. When every person has the right to agitate, how can the govt deny permission for our agitation?” she asked.The state has deployed a Special Protection Unit officer and a constable to accompany Jarange throughout the march.Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, speaking publicly on the issue for the first time since the Mumbai agitation was announced, said, “Govt is taking care that Ganesh devotees do not face any inconvenience. Earlier, 58 morchas were held, and the world took note of those morchas. No one was ever inconvenienced or allowed to face any inconvenience through those morchas. Therefore, we want everyone to ensure that no one is inconvenienced during Ganeshotsav,” Shinde said.The Jarange agitation was also discussed at Tuesday’s cabinet meeting. Minister Shambhuraj Desai defended the administration’s handling of the issue, saying it had honoured commitments made during talks with the activist and had undertaken extensive work to trace Kunbi records through the Justice Shinde Committee.OBC groups and MoS Ashish Jaiswal too backed govt’s stand on Jarange’s agitation on Tuesday, arguing that most of his demands have already been met and accused him of prolonging a now “non-issue” movement. However, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar blamed govt for failing to engage meaningfully with the Maratha quota activist.MoS Ashish Jaiswal said govt had established the required scrutiny mechanism for Maratha reservation claims and that grievances should be addressed through legal channels rather than street protests. He alleged that Jarange’s continued agitation was being driven by “malice and prejudice” and was creating unnecessary confusion.OBC Mahasangh president Babanrao Taywade said most of Jarange’s demands had been fulfilled except those pending before courts. He argued that the agitation was unlikely to receive public support and accused Jarange of holding people hostage to a protest.Rohit Pawar, however, said govt was responsible for the impasse. He argued that the lack of sustained dialogue had pushed Jarange back onto the streets and questioned the police decision to deny permission for a protest in Mumbai. “Holding a protest is a constitutional right,” Pawar said.— with inputs from Chaitanya Marpakwar & Abhishek ChoudhariStay updated with the latest Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar news. Download the TOI App.