Permission for Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil’s proposed march and indefinite hunger strike in Mumbai has been denied by the city police, with security and law-and-order concerns during Ganeshotsav being cited. Despite the refusal, it has been maintained by Jarange-Patil that the agitation will proceed peacefully. The protest has been planned as part of the continuing demand for reservation benefits for the Maratha community under the Kunbi category. A march from Jalna towards Mumbai is scheduled to begin on September 15, while an indefinite hunger strike has been proposed at Azad Maidan from September 19. It has been indicated that the agitation would continue until the demand is accepted by the Maharashtra government.
Following the rejection, Jarange-Patil reiterated that the plan would not be withdrawn. He was quoted as saying that protesters “will go to Mumbai” and that the decision was “final”, while assuring that the demonstration would remain peaceful. A fresh application was subsequently submitted by his team, with an assurance that all conditions and regulations prescribed by the authorities would be followed. Concerns over disruption to everyday life in South Mumbai have been cited by the police. According to Senior Police Inspector Raju Bidkar of Azad Maidan Police Station, the proposed indefinite agitation could affect schools, hospitals, courts, public transport and healthcare services. It has been argued that prolonged disruption could also result in a serious law-and-order situation.
The Supreme Court judgment in the Amit Sahni versus Commissioner of Police case, linked to the Shaheen Bagh protests, has also been referred to by the authorities. While the right to peaceful protest was recognised in the ruling, it was held that public roads and spaces could not be occupied indefinitely if substantial inconvenience was caused to citizens.
Ganeshotsav has been cited as another major consideration. Extensive police deployment is required across Mumbai for crowd management, processions and security during the festival. It has been maintained that an additional large gathering could place further pressure on personnel and increase public-safety concerns. The reasoning has been questioned by Jarange-Patil, who sought to know why a similar agitation had been permitted at Azad Maidan during the corresponding period last year. Restrictions governing demonstrations at Azad Maidan have also been criticised by Mumbai-based Maratha activist and agitation coordinator Virendra Pawar. He said the conditions were “unfair” to people seeking to fight for their rights and indicated that they would be challenged before the Bombay High Court.
With a fresh permission application having been submitted and Jarange-Patil remaining firm on proceeding to Mumbai, the issue remains unresolved. The proposed agitation has now placed renewed focus on balancing the right to peaceful protest with public safety and the functioning of essential services during Mumbai’s Ganeshotsav celebrations.
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