Maharashtra: Jarange Announces March To Mumbai From September 15
The protesters will begin an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai at 10 am on September 19: Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange
MUMBAI: Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange on Saturday announced that a “sea of Marathas” would march to Mumbai from September 15. He said the protesters would set out at 11 am after the pran-pratishtha of Ganesh idols at their homes and reach Mumbai on September 19.
According to the proposed route, the march will halt overnight at Patoda in Beed district on September 15, Shrigonda in Ahilyanagar district on September 16, Hadapsar in Pune district on September 17 and Khopoli on September 18. Jarange also indicated that the march could halt at Koparkhairane before entering Mumbai.
The protesters will begin an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai at 10 am on September 19, he said, vowing to continue the agitation until the Maratha community is granted reservation.
Jarange said the protesters would cover around 100 km a day and appealed to them to maintain peace and discipline throughout the agitation. “No stone-pelting and no arson,” he said, urging participants to drive carefully and abide by a strict code of conduct.
“We want to protest through democratic means in Mumbai and secure our rights,” Jarange said, stressing that the agitation would continue peacefully until the reservation demand was met.
The planned Mumbai protest is likely to pose a challenge for the state government and Mumbai Police, which will already be engaged in arrangements for devotees during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
Jarange also appealed to affluent members of the Maratha community and those owning four-wheelers to provide transport to protesters travelling towards Mumbai. He urged vehicle owners to ferry protesters to the outskirts of the city and return home, saying their contribution would help secure a better future for the community’s children.
He appealed to residents of districts along the proposed route to come out to greet and bless the protesters, but not necessarily join the march to Mumbai. He also urged salaried employees, businessmen, politicians and farmers who may be unable to travel to Mumbai to extend their support on the dates announced for the agitation.