The demand for Maratha reservation has once again erupted into a massive public movement, with activist Manoj Jarange on the second day of his indefinite hunger strike at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan. Jarange has declared that he will not end his fast until the state government provides a clear solution to the community’s long-pending demand for quota benefits.

Jarange began his protest on Friday morning, and since then, the heart of south Mumbai has turned into a sea of supporters. Braving heavy rains, traffic chaos and civic challenges, thousands of Marathas have camped on the streets and footpaths near Azad Maidan. Many have been cooking, sleeping in the open and refusing to leave until the agitation achieves its goal.

The key issue remains the recognition of Marathas as Kunbis, which would allow the community to be included in the OBC category and access reservation in government jobs and education. Jarange has consistently argued that the state must officially recognise this long-standing demand to ensure justice for the Marathas.

The scale of the protest has brought Mumbai’s daily life to a standstill. Traffic congestion has choked areas around CSMT, Fort, Nariman Point and Marine Lines. Several bus routes had to be altered, while local trains saw an overwhelming rush of passengers as office-goers and students struggled to commute.

Although police permission was initially granted for only a one-day protest, authorities extended the duration after witnessing the massive turnout. Jarange, however, has raised the stakes by warning that if the government continues to delay, he may even give up water in the coming days.

Politics has inevitably entered the agitation. While Jarange strongly criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for failing to address Maratha concerns, he lauded Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar for their sympathetic approach. His remarks have sparked intense political speculation, especially with elections around the corner.