Deteriorating Health Forces Manoj Jarange To Consider Calling Off Mumbai Protest

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange’s proposed march to Mumbai could be called off as his health deteriorated during his prolonged hunger strike, with doctors advising medical treatment and hospitalisation. Jarange, whose fast entered its 19th day on Wednesday, reached Patoda in Maharashtra’s Beed district after travelling for nearly 14 hours from Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district. His condition has become a concern as he continues his journey towards Mumbai while maintaining his protest over Maratha reservation.

Jarange left Antarwali Sarati on Tuesday and travelled more than 400 km from the protest site towards Mumbai, where he has planned further agitation. He reached Patoda at around 11 am on Wednesday, after an overnight journey. During the journey and after reaching Patoda, he complained of severe physical discomfort, including a burning sensation in his stomach and feet. Jarange subsequently indicated that the strain of travelling while on hunger strike could make it difficult for him to continue the planned march.

A government medical team monitoring Jarange’s condition found that his blood pressure and blood sugar levels were low and that he was suffering from dehydration. Doctors advised him to seek hospital treatment, with reports warning that continued dehydration could lead to an electrolyte imbalance. Medical concerns have increased because of the prolonged fast and the physical demands of travelling over long distances. Jarange had also stopped taking saline and water earlier in the protest, according to reports from Maharashtra.

Also Read: Manoj Jarange Announces Solo Azad Maidan Protest Over Reservation Demands

Despite his deteriorating condition, Jarange has continued to maintain that the demand for Maratha reservation remains the central objective of his agitation. He has sought reservation for eligible members of the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) framework, particularly through the recognition of Kunbi genealogical records. The latest agitation began at Antarwali Sarati, where Jarange had been observing an indefinite hunger strike before announcing the march towards Mumbai. A government-appointed committee has previously identified historical records relating to Kunbi classification, while the issue remains a matter of dispute between the protest leadership and the state government.

The proposed Mumbai protest has also faced administrative hurdles. Mumbai Police have denied permission for the planned agitation at Azad Maidan, citing law-and-order and security concerns, particularly because the proposed march coincides with the Ganesh festival period. Jarange nevertheless proceeded towards Mumbai after beginning his journey from Jalna district. Under the earlier plan, his supporters were expected to travel through parts of Beed, Ahilyanagar, Pune and Raigad before reaching Mumbai, with the protest scheduled to begin at Azad Maidan on September 19.

Speaking in Patoda, Jarange acknowledged that the journey was taking a toll on his health and said it could be cancelled if there was no other option. He also appealed to supporters not to follow his vehicle from Patoda and said he would keep police informed about his movements. “Reservation is more important than the tour,” he said, indicating that the reservation demand remained his priority even if the physical journey to Mumbai had to be reconsidered. For now, his medical condition has introduced uncertainty over the next stage of the march, with doctors urging treatment while Jarange weighs whether he can continue travelling during the hunger strike.

Also Read: Manoj Jarange’s Mumbai Hunger Strike Faces Setback As Police Withhold Protest Permission