Jarange as a part of his changed strategy, had announced that he would leave for Mumbai along with handful supporters on September 15 and alone begin his agitation at Azad Maidan on September 19. Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange on Tuesday, the 18th day of his indefinite hunger strike left village Antarwali Sarati of Jalna district for Mumbai, despite the Mumbai Police yet to decide on his third application seeking permission to stage a 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. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis appealed for a protest that does not disrupt Ganeshotsav. 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. Police will decide on any fresh application based on its merits. Jarange, however, accused govt of repeatedly failing the Maratha community and vowed to continue the agitation.
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. Addressing reporters on Tuesday, Fadnavis said, “Police had rejected Jarange’s application seeking permission to protest in Mumbai.
“I will not surrender before govt,” he said, adding the protest was aimed at securing justice for Maratha youth and future generations. OBC Mahasangh president Babanrao Taywade said most of Jarange’s demands had been fulfilled except those pending before courts. 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. He argued that the agitation was unlikely to receive public support and accused Jarange of holding people hostage to a protest.