Maratha activist marches to Mumbai after police deny protest permission

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil began a march to Mumbai on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, after Mumbai Police denied permission for his planned indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan, citing security concerns during the ongoing Ganeshotsav festival. The activist, who has been on a hunger strike in Jalna district since August 29, announced he would travel alone with a small entourage to the state capital to press his demand for Maratha reservations. The police refusal, communicated in a letter on Sunday, cited potential crowd management issues, public safety risks, and past violations of protest rules during Jarange's 2025 agitation. Officials referenced restrictions under Maharashtra's 2025 guidelines for public demonstrations, which limit gatherings at Azad Maidan and prohibit indefinite strikes. The letter noted the massive influx of devotees during Ganeshotsav makes the city a target for antisocial elements. Jarange responded by alleging a conspiracy to disrupt the march and target him personally. "There is a conspiracy to shoot me during the Mumbai march. They do not want to kill Marathas, but want to target me," he told supporters.