Maratha Quota Leader Manoj Jarange Leads Protest at Azad Maidan

Mumbai, Aug 29 (PTI) – Maratha quota agitation leader Manoj Jarange arrived at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai on Friday to lead a protest joined by thousands of supporters.

Jarange, who started his journey from his village in Jalna district on Wednesday, was accompanied by hundreds of vehicles. As he entered Mumbai during the early hours, supporters greeted him at Vashi.

By around 9.45 am, Jarange made his way into Azad Maidan under police protection, welcomed by a sea of supporters wearing saffron caps and scarves, and carrying saffron flags. Many supporters eagerly took pictures and recorded videos of the event.

According to an official, the area near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) faced significant traffic congestion in the morning as Maratha quota protesters took to the streets.

Jarange and his supporters, who began their journey from Antarwali Sarati village, more than 400 km away from Mumbai, are initiating a fresh hunger strike.

The 43-year-old leader has been advocating for a 10 percent quota for Marathas under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.

Jarange has assured that his supporters would demonstrate peacefully and not disturb the ongoing Ganesh festival.

He demands that all Marathas be recognized as Kunbis, an agrarian caste included in the OBC category, to qualify for reservations in government jobs and education.

After imposing 40 conditions, the Jalna police permitted Jarange and his supporters to march, ensuring they avoid any law-and-order issues, not disrupt vehicle movements, and refrain from objectionable slogans.

The Mumbai police have granted permission for Jarange to hold peaceful protests at Azad Maidan on August 29 (Friday) from 9 am to 6 pm. All protesters must vacate the site by 6 pm, officials have specified.

Police have also restricted the number of vehicles heading to Azad Maidan to five and capped the protester count at 5,000.

To ensure law and order, over 1,500 Mumbai police personnel have been deployed at Azad Maidan. Security has also been enhanced at CSMT, where supporters of the quota agitation have traveled from various parts of Maharashtra, the railway police reported.

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