Mumbai Police have denied permission to Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil to hold an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan from September 19, citing security and law-and-order concerns during the ongoing Ganeshotsav celebrations.

The decision comes amid heightened attention around Jarange-Patil’s proposed march to Mumbai over the demand for reservation for the Maratha community. The activist has announced plans to travel to the state capital and begin a hunger strike as part of his continuing campaign on the reservation issue.

Police rejected the formal request submitted for the proposed protest at Azad Maidan in a six-page order. Officials referred to the large crowds expected in Mumbai during the Ganesh festival and warned that allowing another major gathering at the same time could place additional pressure on the city’s security and traffic management systems.

According to the police, the proposed demonstration also raises concerns under the rules governing public meetings, demonstrations and processions. Authorities referred to issues that they said had emerged during Jarange-Patil’s earlier protests, including difficulties related to crowd management and compliance with conditions imposed for public gatherings.

Police cite security concerns during Ganeshotsav

The police decision is primarily linked to the ongoing Ganeshotsav period, when Mumbai witnesses large crowds, processions and heightened security arrangements across several parts of the city.

Officials said a substantial number of police personnel are already required to manage festival-related arrangements. Deploying additional personnel for a large-scale political or social protest could, according to authorities, put further pressure on the available force and affect their ability to respond to other law-and-order requirements.

The police also pointed to the possibility of traffic disruption if a large number of protesters gather at Azad Maidan. The area is located close to several important government, commercial and transport hubs, making crowd management particularly important during periods of increased public movement.

Authorities also referred to Jarange-Patil’s previous agitation, during which large crowds reportedly exceeded the permitted limits. Police said the earlier gatherings had caused traffic-related difficulties around important locations, including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus area and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters.

Officials maintained that these past experiences had to be considered while evaluating the latest request.

Jarange-Patil challenges police decision

Jarange-Patil strongly objected to the rejection and accused the Maharashtra government and police of attempting to prevent him from pursuing the Maratha reservation movement.

Speaking at Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district, he questioned why the authorities were assuming that protesters would violate conditions even before the demonstration had taken place.

He also questioned the legal basis for the police decision and described the action as an attempt to suppress the agitation. Jarange-Patil said his legal team would challenge the order.

The activist has maintained that his proposed movement will remain peaceful and has indicated that he intends to proceed with his plans despite the refusal of permission.

Proposed Mumbai march adds to tension

The police decision comes at a time when Jarange-Patil is preparing for another major mobilisation in Mumbai. He has called for a march beginning September 14 and continuing through September 25 as part of his campaign for Maratha reservation.

The proposed mobilisation has become a major point of discussion in Maharashtra, with authorities closely monitoring the situation because of the possibility of a large number of supporters travelling towards Mumbai.

The administration has previously expressed concerns about the logistical challenges involved in handling large gatherings in the city, particularly when several major public events are taking place simultaneously.

The latest refusal therefore adds another layer of uncertainty to Jarange-Patil’s planned Mumbai programme.

Activist alleges threat to his life

Amid the dispute over permission, Jarange-Patil has also alleged that there could be an attempt on his life during the planned march.

He has claimed that individuals associated with political groups could potentially enter the procession with the intention of creating disorder or targeting him. Jarange-Patil alleged that there was a conspiracy to attack him during the mobilisation.

The allegations have not been independently established. However, they have added to the concerns surrounding security arrangements for the proposed march.

Jarange-Patil has said that he is prepared to face the consequences of continuing the agitation and has urged the government to resolve the reservation issue before his supporters reach Mumbai.

Maratha reservation remains a major issue

The Maratha reservation demand has remained a politically sensitive issue in Maharashtra for several years. Jarange-Patil has emerged as one of the most prominent faces of the movement and has repeatedly organised protests and hunger strikes to press the government for action.

His latest mobilisation is aimed at putting further pressure on the state government to address the community’s demands.

The disagreement over the proposed September 19 hunger strike now places the focus on whether the activist will alter his plans following the police refusal or pursue legal and political avenues to secure permission for the demonstration.

For the authorities, the immediate challenge is to balance the right to peaceful protest with the need to maintain public order, manage large festival crowds and ensure the smooth movement of people and vehicles across Mumbai.

The coming days are likely to determine whether Jarange-Patil’s proposed Mumbai agitation proceeds as planned or whether the authorities and his representatives reach an alternative arrangement.