On August 29, 2025, massive protests erupted in Mumbai as thousands of Maratha community members, led by activist Manoj Jarange, demanded a 10 per cent reservation quota under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. Jarange began an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan, vowing not to leave until the government accedes to their demand.
The Maharashtra government permitted a one-day protest with strict conditions on the number of participants and vehicles, while over 1,500 police personnel were deployed to maintain order amid disruptions. The government urged peaceful conduct, while Jarange warned of serious consequences if the quota was not granted, escalating tensions between the state administration and protestors.
Maratha Protest Brings Mumbai to a Standstill
Thousands of saffron-clad Maratha protesters, many wearing saffron caps and waving flags, marched into Mumbai from across Maharashtra, flooding Azad Maidan with an estimated 40,000 supporters. The protest caused significant traffic snarls, especially near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Railway Station, deeply affecting daily commuters and suburban train users.
Security arrangements were heightened with the deployment of Maharashtra police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Railway Protection Force personnel. Jarange, addressing the crowd, emphasised the Maratha community’s need for inclusion as Kunbi caste within the OBC quota, pointing out that Marathas make up 35 per cent of Maharashtra’s population and deserve reservations in education and government jobs.
Despite the government’s limit of 5,000 protesters and a six-hour protest window, the crowd’s size and determination underscored the intensity of the demand.
Historical and Political Backdrop
This protest marks Manoj Jarange’s ninth agitation over nearly two years advocating for Maratha reservation under the OBC category, which also includes over 350 castes. The community’s earlier struggles led to the issuance of more than 800,000 OBC certificates based on Kunbi identity in 2023, but current demands seek a dedicated 10 per cent quota from the overall OBC allocation, not a separate one.
The Maharashtra government has so far shown openness to social and financial welfare issues of Marathas but has rejected political reservations, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urging community leaders to introspect.
Meanwhile, Jarange rejected allegations of partisan politicisation by the BJP and expressed readiness to engage in dialogue, albeit critical of missed meetings and government delays. Opposition parties like the Congress have shown support, further politicising the quota debate.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Logical Indian stresses that the ongoing Maratha protests highlight the urgent necessity for peaceful dialogue and government accountability in addressing genuine social and economic grievances. The right to peaceful protest is fundamental, but so is the responsibility to maintain harmony and law and order.
Reservation policies must be formulated through transparent, inclusive consultations that recognise the complex social fabric while striving for equity. This protest urges Maharashtra’s leaders and citizens alike to foster empathetic and constructive engagement instead of confrontation.
