Maratha Quota Protest: Manoj Jarange Escalates Hunger Strike, Vows to Give Up Water

Speedy Summary:

• Hunger strike: Activist Manoj Jarange is on an indefinite hunger strike at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan since August 29, 2025, demanding a reservation for teh Maratha community under the OBC category.
• Escalation: From September 1, 2025 (Monday), he plans to stop drinking water and has vowed not to leave until his demands are met.
• Demand justification: jarange claims there are records connecting Marathas with Kunbis (an OBC caste) and insists the government recognize this sub-caste link for reservation eligibility.
• Government actions: Maharashtra’s cabinet sub-committee is seeking legal advice on implementing gazetteers that classify Marathas as Kunbis. A study of Supreme Court findings regarding this matter is underway.
• Traffic disruptions: Police anticipate traffic slowdowns in south Mumbai due to ongoing protests; traders have reported negative business impacts in the area.
• Political developments: Ruling and opposition leaders have clashed over the issue; Supriya Sule urged convening a special session of legislature while BJP criticized NCP leader Sharad Pawar’s remarks about raising quota limits through constitutional amendment.
• Media tensions: Allegations of misbehavior by protesters towards women journalists covering the agitation led to warnings from media groups about boycotting protest coverage if incidents continued.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The ongoing protests highlight entrenched complexities surrounding caste-based reservations in India. While Jarange’s hunger strike underscores frustration felt by sections within the Maratha community, linking them officially with OBC status requires navigating legal hurdles like Supreme Court observations rejecting such classifications. The government must balance immediate public pressure with long-term constitutional frameworks, considering ripple effects on other communities already under OBC quotas.

Additionally, economic disruptions caused by blockades and aggravated political divides threaten social harmony – requiring quick but thoughtfully calibrated responses. As elections loom closer, resolving this sensitive issue swiftly yet equitably could be pivotal in ensuring stability across affected regions. Policymakers now face a challenging test of governance amid rising tensions between communities vying for limited affirmative action benefits.

Read more: Activist Manoj Jarange vows escalation