Mumbai: The Maratha quota agitation in Mumbai has taken an unexpected turn as several videos from protest sites have gone viral, showing protestors indulging in wrestling, dancing, and even blocking railway tracks. While the movement began with hunger strikes and peaceful sit-ins, the recent visuals have shifted public attention away from the core demands of the protest.

In the videos, groups of protestors can be seen dancing on the streets to the beats of traditional dhols, while others are engaged in wrestling bouts, drawing cheering crowds. Another viral clip shows demonstrators standing on railway tracks, waving at cameras and shouting slogans, prompting criticism over the safety risks and public disruption.

Observers have expressed concern that such behaviour undermines the seriousness of the agitation. The focus on entertainment-like activities, rather than the demand for reservation led by Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil, who is on an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan, has sparked debates online.

Critics warn that these viral moments could dilute the credibility of the movement, even as Jarange’s health remains under close watch and tensions escalate.