Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Tuesday escalated his agitation at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, declaring that he and his supporters would not vacate the protest site until their demands were fulfilled, even if it cost him his life.

Speaking on the fifth day of his indefinite hunger strike, Jarange issued a direct warning to the Maharashtra government and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding the immediate withdrawal of all cases filed against Maratha protesters across the state.

Jarange also called for the dismissal of police personnel accused of assaulting demonstrators and insisted on filing cases against them. “We will not leave Mumbai until all demands are implemented.

Withdraw the cases, sack the policemen who attacked us, and register FIRs against them. Fadnavis should not even think of using the police for a lathi-charge. Otherwise, we will show what Marathas are,” he warned.

His statement came shortly after Mumbai Police issued a notice to Jarange and his core committee for violating protest conditions. The police cited breaches of permission norms and flagged his provocative remarks to the media as part of the violations.

This move followed stern observations from the Bombay High Court, which had described the ongoing agitation as unlawful and disruptive, particularly during the Ganeshotsav festivities.

The court reminded organizers that permission was granted for a one-day protest with a limit of 5,000 participants, but the stir has extended for several days, drawing large crowds and causing traffic chaos. It ordered Jarange to vacate Azad Maidan by noon on Tuesday and directed authorities to stop additional protesters from entering Mumbai while ensuring humanitarian assistance and medical care for Jarange if needed.

Jarange, who began his indefinite fast on August 29, has been demanding 10 percent reservation for the Maratha community under the OBC category, reigniting a politically sensitive issue that has put the Maharashtra government under intense pressure.