Maratha March Plot Allegations
Maratha Reservation Activist Manoj Jarange Alleges Assassination Plot Ahead of Mumbai March
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Key Points
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Jarange warned that his supporters could politically challenge ministers, saying, “We will have to respond when someone steps on the tail of a snake.”
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He claimed that some Maratha legislators from the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena had been calling supporters and urging them not to join the Mumbai march.
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Jarange said supporters who were afraid should not participate, but made an emotional appeal for them to march to Mumbai and, if necessary, join his funeral procession.
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He said an application had been submitted for permission to hold the protest at Azad Maidan and that the government could impose conditions if required, while questioning whether his planned march violated the law.
Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil alleged on his 16th day of hunger strike that a plot exists to kill him during his planned march to Mumbai, accusing Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of conspiracy The Hindu. Jarange departed Jalna district on September 15 despite police denial of protest permits, heading toward an indefinite fast at Mumbai's Azad Maidan starting September 19 to demand Kunbi-OBC status for Marathas in education and government jobs India Today. Medical teams reported his blood pressure and sugar levels had dropped critically by September 16, with doctors warning of ICU-level risks India Today. He said supporters who were afraid should not participate, but made an emotional appeal for them to join him, saying: "We will have to respond when someone steps on the tail of a snake" The Hindu. The march coincides with Ganeshotsav, Maharashtra's major Hindu festival, which state officials say creates law-and-order dangers. Jarange claimed ruling coalition legislators called supporters urging them to skip the Mumbai march The New Indian Express.
Government figures denied the assassination allegations and rejected Jarange's permission request, citing festival crowds and public safety. Chief Minister Fadnavis stated the government had met 12 of 13 demands, with the remaining obstacle tied to legal constraints around Kunbi certificate verification Hindustan Times. Jarange countered that an application for Azad Maidan permission had been submitted and questioned whether the march violated any law The Indian Express.
Jarange's Demands and Years of Agitation
Jarange has led the Shivba Sanghatana movement since 2020 to secure Kunbi sub-caste certificates for all Marathas across Maharashtra The Indian Express. The Kunbi status grants OBC (Other Backward Class) classification, which unlocks 27% reservation quotas in education and government jobs Wikipedia. The immediate trigger for this fast came when the Caste Scrutiny Committee rejected Kunbi certificates for four Marathwada public representatives The Indian Express. Jarange also demands implementation of historical gazettes from Satara, Kolhapur, and Hyderabad that allegedly documented Kunbi-Maratha connections prior to 1967.
The state government argues it can only issue Kunbi certificates to Marathas with verifiable genealogical documentation dating before 1967, citing court orders and legal constraints The Indian Express. BJP mediator Prasad Lad stated that 14 out of 15 core demands had been accepted The Indian Express. OBC community leaders, including state minister Chhagan Bhujbal, oppose blanket Kunbi status for Marathas, warning it would dilute the existing 27% OBC quota pool Mint.
Accusations of Political Pressure and Intimidation
Jarange publicly claimed that ruling coalition legislators from the BJP and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena had been calling his supporters, urging them not to participate in the Mumbai march The New Indian Express. He alleged a high-level conspiracy aimed specifically at him, saying: "There is a conspiracy to shoot me during the march. They do not want to kill Marathas, but want to target me The Hindu." Jarange declared he would accept death rather than surrender The Hindu.
No independent evidence corroborated these assassination claims, and neither Chief Minister Fadnavis nor Deputy Chief Minister Shinde publicly responded to the allegations The Hindu. Political analysts noted Jarange had previously maintained cordial ties with Shinde but has now shifted his criticism to both ruling leaders Hindustan Times. The accusations mark a significant escalation in Jarange's rhetoric toward the government.
Government Cracks Down on Protest Permits
Mumbai Police rejected initial applications for permission to hold protests at Azad Maidan on September 14–15 The Hindu. State officials cited the ongoing Ganeshotsav festival, which draws massive devotee crowds across Maharashtra from September 14–25, as creating insurmountable law-and-order risks The Print. Maharashtra Minister Ashish Shelar publicly urged Jarange to abandon the protest to prevent obstruction to Ganeshotsav celebrations mid-day. Massive police deployments were stationed around South Mumbai landmarks and key highway checkpoints in preparation The Indian Express.
Despite denied permits, Jarange departed Jalna on September 15, travelling a 400+ kilometer route through Beed, Pune, and Raigad toward Mumbai India Today. By September 16, his health had deteriorated critically. Medical evaluations showed severely dropped blood pressure and sugar levels, prompting doctors to warn of ICU-level risks India Today. Jarange's health crisis added urgency to government appeals, though he continued advancing toward the capital The New Indian Express.
Political Fallout and Electoral Implications
The escalating confrontation risks major disruption in Mumbai during peak festival season, threatening transportation corridors and public safety The Indian Express. Political analysts warned that the standoff could alienate Maratha voters from the ruling Mahayuti coalition (BJP, Eknath Shinde Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCP) ahead of upcoming electoral contests Mint. Observers noted tension between fulfilling Maratha demands and protecting OBC quota protections for other communities The Hindu. The coalition's denial of permits and alleged pressure on supporters signals a hardline stance that may damage ruling party appeal among Maratha-majority districts Hindustan Times.
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