Raut Calls for Fadnavis-Jarange Quota Talks
Manoj Jarange’s Mumbai protest demands urgent dialogue.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut called on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to engage in direct talks with Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange to address the escalating reservation issue with urgency and patience. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Raut emphasized the gravity of the situation as Jarange, demanding a 10 per cent quota for Marathas under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, leads a massive protest march toward the state capital.
Jarange, aged 43, began his journey from Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district on Wednesday, accompanied by hundreds of supporters. On Thursday morning, he reached Shivneri Fort, the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Pune’s Junnar tehsil, en route to Mumbai. The activist has announced plans for an indefinite fast at Azad Maidan starting August 29, intensifying pressure on the Mahayuti government.
“This is not a simple protest,” Raut warned, highlighting the scale of the movement. “If lakhs of Marathi manoos are coming to Mumbai, the Chief Minister must hold a straight dialogue with Jarange.” He urged Fadnavis to honor past commitments and approach the issue with sincerity, noting that previous talks were held before the Lok Sabha elections. Raut stressed that the Marathi community has an undeniable right to protest in Mumbai, a stance consistently upheld by Shiv Sena (UBT).
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With the Ganesh Chaturthi festival approaching, Raut underscored the need for the government to maintain law and order while addressing the protesters’ demands. He criticized the state’s image as a region divided by caste and sub-caste tensions, calling for unity and resolution. Taking a jab at the ruling BJP, Raut quipped that Jarange’s demands are directed at the Maharashtra government, “not US President Donald Trump.”
Raut also pointed out the government’s leniency toward other protests, such as those for pigeons, arguing that the Marathi community deserves equal rights to voice their demands. The ongoing agitation has sparked concerns about potential unrest, with authorities urged to act swiftly to prevent escalation.
As Jarange and his supporters approach Mumbai, the spotlight is on Fadnavis to navigate this sensitive issue. The outcome of this protest could shape Maharashtra’s political and social landscape, with the government facing mounting pressure to deliver on the Maratha quota demand.
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