Mumbai witnessed tense days as thousands of supporters of activist Manoj Jarange converged in south Mumbai from August 29 onwards, demanding reservation for the Maratha community in education and government jobs. The agitation began when Jarange launched a hunger strike at Azad Maidan, drawing massive crowds that spilled over to nearby roads and sensitive areas such as Mantralaya and the Bombay Stock Exchange. The police said protesters defied prohibitory orders, blocked traffic, and staged demonstrations in multiple neighborhoods, creating widespread disruption. Authorities confirmed that nine cases were registered across six police stations, including Azad Maidan, Marine Drive, Colaba, JJ Marg, Dongri, and Mata Rambai Ambedkar Marg, citing unlawful assembly and violation of restrictions.
The agitation, which continued for five days, was marked by intense street mobilization despite repeated police warnings. Protesters occupied spaces around Azad Maidan and moved into commercial hubs, chanting slogans and pressing for immediate recognition of their demands. While police denied an extension for the agitation on September 1, Jarange’s persistence kept the protest alive until the Maharashtra government stepped in with a major breakthrough. On September 2, the government announced it would grant eligible Marathas Kunbi caste certificates, effectively bringing them under the OBC category and making them entitled to existing reservation benefits. This announcement led to celebrations across the state as protesters hailed it as a landmark victory for their long-standing demand.
Jarange ended his fast on Tuesday evening, urging his followers to disperse peacefully after the government’s concessions. In a significant move, the Maharashtra government also promised to withdraw all pending police cases against Maratha protesters by September 2025, signaling a conciliatory approach to avoid further confrontation. However, the nine fresh FIRs filed during the agitation underscore the challenges law enforcement faced in balancing public order with political sensitivity. While the resolution temporarily calmed tensions, the agitation has highlighted both the Maratha community’s determination to secure lasting reservation benefits and the state’s struggle to manage large-scale identity-based protests in Mumbai’s high-security zones.
