Jarange, a prominent face of the Maratha reservation agitation, launched his hunger strike on Friday. Pics/Atul Kamble
Jarange has vowed not to leave the city until the state government accepts the community’s demands
The demand include Marathas to be granted reservation under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category by recognising them as Kunbis, an agrarian caste currently eligible for quota benefits
Despite heavy rain and increased police presence, thousands of supporters from across Maharashtra remained camped at the protest site
Many were seen wearing saffron caps and carrying flags, pledging full support to Jarange’s demands
Jarange on Friday evening slammed the Maharashtra government for extending the permission for his hunger strike for Maratha reservation for a day, and warned that Marathas from all over the state will come to Mumbai if the quota demand was not conceded quickly
The protest has significantly impacted traffic movement in south Mumbai, especially around Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)
Supporters of Maratha activist Manoj Jarange gathered in large numbers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) on Friday
Personnel from the RPF and Government Railway Police Force (GRPF) were deployed at the station, along with MSF (Maharashtra Security Force) personnel, all tasked with maintaining surveillance and preventing any untoward incidents
Manoj Jarange told reporters that he would stop consuming water within two days if the government did not act immediately
"If you delay your decision, more and more Marathas will arrive in Mumbai. If the government intends to crush the Maratha community, why did it even initiate a dialogue?" Jarange questioned
"If parking is not arranged, our vehicles will be left on the roads," Jarange said, urging that open spaces near Azad Maidan be used for parking
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