Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar/Jalna9 hours ago
Manoj Jarange, who has been leading a protest in Maharashtra demanding Maratha reservation, left for Mumbai on Tuesday morning. Mumbai Police have not given him permission to hold a protest at Azad Maidan.
Despite this, Jarange remains firm on his demand. He has been on a hunger strike for the past 17 days and is demanding reservation for the Maratha community under the OBC quota.
Jarange had initially been preparing to take large numbers of people from the Maratha community from different parts of Maharashtra to Mumbai. However, he changed his plan in view of the police restrictions and security arrangements. He is now travelling to Mumbai with around five to 10 associates.
Jarange was originally planning to bring a large number of Maratha people from different parts of Maharashtra to Mumbai. However, due to police crackdowns and security concerns, he is now traveling to Mumbai with only five to ten associates.
Before leaving for Mumbai, Jarange bowed down and paid obeisance to the statue of Shivaji.
The women participating in the protest looked emotional as Jarange left.
Jarange said – they will not back down until their demands are met
While leaving for Mumbai, Jarange said that for him the Maratha community is paramount and he will not step back until the demand for reservation is met.
Jarange cited the Bombay High Court’s decision, which refused to stop him from protesting in Mumbai. He said that a person protesting democratically cannot be stopped.
Jarange claimed that a conspiracy was being hatched to kill him. He questioned Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, saying that a plan was being hatched to have him shot dead. However, these allegations have not been independently confirmed.
Chief Minister Fadnavis and several ministers have appealed to Jarange to end the hunger strike. The government has stated that it is ready to negotiate on the Maratha community’s legal demands.
Will reach Azad Maidan on 19th September
Zarange’s convoy will travel through Patoda in Beed, Shrigonda in Ahilyanagar, Hadapsar in Pune, and Khopoli in Raigad before reaching Mumbai. They are preparing to protest at Azad Maidan on September 19th.
However, Mumbai Police have denied permission for the protest, citing law and order concerns and the large crowds expected during the Ganesh festival.
648 soldiers in security
In anticipation of Jarange’s convoy, 648 security personnel have been deployed from Antarwali Sarati to Shahgarh. These include three SDPOs, 10 inspectors, 30 API/PSIs, 300 police officers, and 265 home guards. Two platoons of Rapid City police are also deployed.
The convoy includes two SUVs and two ambulances. SPU personnel and two Jalna police bodyguards are also present for security.
