The Maratha quota agitation entered its second day on Saturday as activist Manoj Jarange Patil continued his indefinite hunger strike at Mumbai’s historic Azad Maidan, vowing not to relent until the Maharashtra government meets the community’s demand for reservations. Jarange began his fast on Friday morning, drawing tens of thousands of supporters from across the state.

Despite heavy rain, traffic disruptions, and civic challenges, protesters remained steadfast, setting up makeshift camps along footpaths and streets while cooking and sleeping in the open. The primary demand of the movement is the inclusion of the Maratha community in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, with Jarange insisting that Marathas should be officially recognised as Kunbis, granting them access to reservation benefits in education and government jobs.

The large-scale protest has brought parts of Mumbai to a standstill, causing severe traffic jams around CSMT, Fort, Nariman Point, and Marine Lines. Several bus routes were diverted, and local train stations witnessed heavy rush, affecting daily commuters.

Although the Mumbai Police initially permitted the protest for just one day under restrictions limiting gatherings to 5,000 people, the deadline was extended due to the overwhelming turnout. Jarange has escalated his warning, stating that he may give up water if the deadlock persists.

The agitation has taken a political turn, with Jarange accusing Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of neglecting Maratha concerns while appreciating Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar for their supportive stance. With elections approaching, the political ramifications of this protest could be significant.