Who is Manoj Jarange Patil, whose hunger strike has brought ‘Mumbai to a standstill’?

The Bombay High Court has come down heavily on protesters led by Manoj Jarange Patil demanding Maratha reservation, saying they violated all conditions and brought Mumbai to a “standstill”, with traffic snarls reported in the southern part of the city. The Maratha leader has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai since Friday (August 29).

Thousands of Maratha protesters have joined the protest. Patil, who has become a face of the Maratha reservation campaign in Maharashtra, stopped drinking water from today (September 1) and has said is even ready to brave “bullets” for his demands.

Let’s take a closer look.

Who is Manoj Jarange Patil?

Manoj Jarange Patil, in his 40s, has participated in agitations for reservations for the Maratha community since 2014.

Hailing from Beed, he moved to Ambad in Jalna district to earn a living and began working in a hotel, as per an Indian Express report. He lives with his parents, three brothers, wife and four children.

Reportedly a 12th standard dropout, Patil is said to have started as an activist of the Congress, but later left the party to float the organisation called Shivba Sanghatna, dedicated to the Maratha community.

He gained national limelight in August 2023 after the Maratha leader went on a hunger strike demanding reservation for the community in government jobs and education. Police had lathi-charged a gathering at Antarwali Sarati village during his hunger strike, setting off angry reactions in many parts of the state.

Two years later, Patil emerged as one of the most revered faces of the Maratha community.

As per Deccan Herald, the agitation of the Maratha community led by Patil dented the BJP-led Mahayuti’s performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. However, the alliance bounced back in the Assembly elections later that year.

Manoj Jarange Patil goes on hunger strike again

Patil has again launched a hunger strike to press the Maharashtra government for his demand of a 10 per cent quota to the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.

He is demanding that the state issue a government order (GR) to provide reservations based on available records. Patil is seeking Kunbi caste certificates for Marathas.

Kunbis in Maharashtra come under the OBC category.

Patil stopped consuming even water on Monday, as his hunger strike at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai entered the fourth day.

A day back, the Maharashtra government said it will seek a legal opinion on implementing the Hyderabad gazetteer on the Kunbi status for the Maratha community.

Mumbai comes to ‘standstill’

Thousands of protesters have gathered in south Mumbai to take part in Patil’s agitation, turning areas around Azad Maidan into a campsite.

Several of them were seen dancing and raising slogans in favour of the Maratha quota demand at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), leading to overcrowding at the railway station.

They also assembled at areas in south Mumbai, triggering traffic congestion and inconveniencing commuters, especially office-goers.

The police had to divert traffic heading towards the CSMT area. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) also suspended, diverted or curtailed buses on all routes towards the railway station, PTI reported, citing officials.

Scores of demonstrators also blocked the road towards Mahapalika Marg, JJ Marg and DN Road, bringing traffic to a halt.

A sizeable deployment of police was there at Azad Maidan area; however, protesters reportedly refused to heed their instructions.

Some agitators also attemped to enter the Bombay Stock Exchange building premises, but were stopped by security officials. The protesters then shouted slogans, like “Ek Maratha Lakh Maratha” and “Aarakshan Aamcha Hakka Che” (reservation is our right), outside the building.

On Saturday, some protesters were seen taking a bath in the open, with water from the tankers arranged by the organisers or the BMC. Many youngsters were spotted dancing on the road to the beats of ‘halgi’, a traditional drum, reported PTI. 

The Bombay High Court on Monday (September 1) directed authorities to clear roads occupied by protesters by 4 pm on Tuesday, saying that protests should only be held at Azad Maidan and not anywhere else, as per News18.

It also told authorities to prevent other protesters from coming to Mumbai and halt them at the borders.

During a special hearing on a petition challenging the ongoing agitation, a bench comprising Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad observed that Patil had not been granted permission for an indefinite hunger strike, and the approval was only for one day.

The court also noted that only 5,000 people were allowed to join the Maratha quota protest, but many more assembled outside Azad Maidan to join the stir. The bench sought a response from the Maharashtra government on the measures taken to address the issue. The matter will be heard on Tuesday at 3 pm.

With inputs from agencies