Maratha Quota Protest: No Entry For Agitators At Azad Maidan; Manoj Jarange Patil Urges CM To Fulfill Demand

Raising their demand for the Maratha quota, protestors led by activist Manoj Jarange Patil entered Navi Mumbai to stage demonstrations at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai on Friday, January 26. The Mumbai Police is actively monitoring the situation both because of the protest and the Republic Day celebrations.

The activist, who set out on a march towards Mumbai from Jalna district on January 20 with thousands of supporters, is demanding that the state government grant quota to Marathas under the OBC grouping in jobs and education.

Manoj Jarange appealed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputies to come together and resolve the issue of Maratha quota. Jarange said two official delegations met him earlier in the day, but they had nothing new to offer. They were deliberating on the same old points, he said.

POLICE DENIES PERMISSION

Azad Maidan police station has issued a notice to activist Jarange, denying him permission to enter and fast at the protest site. Police also said that the rally is not allowed to enter Mumbai as it lacks capacity to hold large march and then there are other programs scheduled at the ground.

Mumbai Police has asked them not to protest at Azad Maidan but can continue their demonstrations at the international ground at Central Park in Kharghar at Navi Mumbai, adding that dissenters should seek permission for the same from concerned authorities.

Jarange Patil’s Maratha Morcha has prompted cops to send notices to workers involved, citing potential law and order issues due to the expected large turnout.

LEGAL ACTION IF SOMEONE BREAKS LAW

The police have warned that individuals participating, organizing, or financially supporting the rally must participate peacefully. In case someone even remotely tries to break law and order at the protest site, the person or the group will be held accountable and will face legal action.

PREPARATIONS FOR PROTEST

Protestors in trucks and tempos were seen coming to the protest site and were stocking up with cylinders, water bottles, oil, ration, and mattresses. They have also packed pithla-bhakri, a staple diet of Maharashtrians.

They have started to place the stage where the Patil and other leaders will sit and address the people. A protestor said to Indian Express that hotels around the protest side are welcoming them and ready to offer tea.

Another dissenter from the Beed district said that he was traveling with 15 people, who came with basic staples such as wheat and rice and a handful of winter clothes.

JARANGE CALLS FOR PEACEFUL PROTEST

Addressing his supporters at Lonavala, Jarange asked them to keep calm and not get provoked, insisting that theirs is a peaceful protest. He said two teams of officials, including one led by Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Divisional Commissioner Madhukar Ardad, met him earlier, but they had no new proposal.

Jarange has announced the launch of an indefinite hunger strike in Mumbai from January 26 if the state government fails to grant the reservation to Marathas in government jobs and education.

He claimed on Wednesday that 54 lakh records have been found in Maharashtra so far identifying members of the Maratha community as Kunbi (OBC sub-caste) and demanded immediate issuance of caste certificates. Kunbis enjoy reservation in government jobs and admissions to educational institutes under the OBC category.

ROADSHOW FROM PANVEL

From Kharghar, Belapur, and Nerul, Patil’s roadshow from Panvel will head towards Vashi. In the meantime, the Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner on Thursday issued a notification addressing route diversions and restrictions in Navi Mumbai jurisdiction, in light of the protest march that is expected to approach the city today.

ROAD DIVERSIONS WHILE TRAVELLING TO PUNE, MUMBAI

Numerous people joined the rally in the city, causing traffic to move slowly, while about 15,000 people joined the morcha from neighboring districts of Pune and beyond.

The morcha is expected to head towards Mumbai via Rajiv Gandhi Bridge, Jagtap Dairy, Dange Chowk, Birla Hospital Chafehar Chowk, Ahimsa Chowk Mahavir Chowk, Tilak Chowk, Bhakti Shakti, Pune Gate, Dehu Road and Talegaon.

Vehicles travelling from Aundh D Mart to Sangyi Phata will not be permitted and drivers will be redirected to their desired destinations via Pol Chowk and Nagraj Road.

Traffic from Barne Corner and Thergaon, heading towards Thergoan Phata will have the option to make a right turn or take a U-turn.

CM SHINDE APPEALS NOT TO STAGE PROTEST

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday appealed to members of the Maratha community not to stage protests as the government is thinking positively about the quota demand.

“The state government is positive about the Maratha quota demand. We will take a decision. I appeal to the Maratha community to refrain themselves from staging agitations,” he told reporters.

(with PTI inputs)