Jarange Patil Adamant: To March From Antarwali Sarati To Mumbai On Sept 15 Despite Permission Denial*

MUMBAI: The Mumbai Police on Sunday denied permission to Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil for his proposed indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan.

 Jarange Patil had announced on Saturday that he would march from his village Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district to Mumbai via Beed, Ahilyanagar, Pune and Khopoli from September 15 and start an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan from September 19.

He had sought permission for 4,000 to 5,000 protesters and assured he would comply with all conditions.

 In a letter, Senior Police Inspector Raju Bidkar of Azad Maidan Police Station said the permission was denied as the protest could disrupt normal life in South Mumbai — affecting schools, hospitals, judiciary, public transport and healthcare — and create a serious law-and-order situation.

 Police also cited two key reasons:

Ganeshotsav rush: Large-scale Ganesh festival begins from Sept 14, requiring massive police deployment across the city.

Past experience:Last year's Azad Maidan protest (Aug 2025) saw permission for 5,000 but nearly 40,000 supporters arrived with 11,000 vehicles, causing traffic chaos around CSMT, Churchgate, Mantralaya and High Court. Cases were registered then for illegal parking, loudspeakers, road blockades and cooking/bathing in public places.

Jarange Patil's Response:

 Reacting to the denial, Jarange Patil said, "Our legal team will decide whether to approach the Police Commissioner or court. The march will go on as scheduled on Sept 15." He announced he has stopped medical treatment and fluid intake in protest.

He is agitating for fast implementation of Kunbi (OBC) caste certificates to eligible Marathas in Marathwada based on Hyderabad and Satara Gazette records, to get OBC reservation benefits.

HC Stand: On Sept 11, the Bombay High Court had refused to ban Jarange Patil from entering Mumbai in advance, saying "apprehension is not ground for ban" and police permission must be sought first.

One-Line WhatsApp Version:Maratha quota: Mumbai Police deny Manoj Jarange Patil's permission for indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan from Sept 19, citing Ganeshotsav & South Mumbai chaos risk. Jarange says march from Jalna to Mumbai on Sept 15 will go ahead, will re-apply to Commissioner.