Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijit Dipke met Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Friday and extended support to the ongoing reservation agitation as Patil’s indefinite hunger strike entered its 14th day. Dipke warned the Maharashtra government against attempting to forcibly remove Jarange from the protest site and said any action against the activist could trigger a larger mobilisation across the state. During his meeting with Jarange, Dipke backed the Maratha community’s demand for reservation and challenged the government to remove the activist by force if it intended to take such a step.

He referred to the Delhi Police’s action against climate activist Sonam Wangchuk while criticising what he described as attempts to deal with protests through force. Dipke said the Maharashtra government should be mindful of the possible consequences of any intervention at the protest site. Dipke further warned that people from across Maharashtra would gather at the protest venue if Jarange were harmed. His comments came as the activist continued his indefinite hunger strike, keeping pressure on the state government over the Maratha reservation issue.

The CJP founder’s visit also brought the student-led political pressure group into the ongoing agitation, with Dipke publicly signalling support for Jarange’s campaign and its demands. Jarange has been at the centre of the Maratha reservation movement, which has repeatedly called for greater access to reservation benefits for the community. His latest hunger strike has continued for 14 days, keeping the issue in the political spotlight. The prolonged protest has also raised concerns about the impact of an indefinite fast on the activist’s health and about how authorities will manage the situation if the agitation continues without an agreement.

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Dipke’s intervention comes against the backdrop of the CJP’s recent focus on public campaigns and protests over issues involving students, examinations and government accountability. The organisation has described itself as a pressure group rather than a conventional political party and has sought to use public mobilisation to press authorities on issues it considers important. By meeting Jarange and openly backing the reservation agitation, Dipke has aligned the CJP with another prominent movement seeking action from the government.

The CJP founder’s warning also places additional political pressure on the Maharashtra government as it weighs its response to the continuing protest. Dipke said the government should not attempt to forcibly end the agitation or take any action that could put Jarange at risk. With the hunger strike entering its third week, attention remains focused on the activist’s health, the government's next steps and whether negotiations can produce a way forward on the Maratha reservation demand. The possibility of a wider mobilisation across Maharashtra could further intensify pressure on the authorities if the standoff continues.

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