The fast of the agitating leader Manoj Jarang, who is demanding Maratha reservation at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, continued on Sunday (August 31) on the third day. Manoj Jarange said that he will not leave Mumbai until his demand for the Maratha community is met. His fast continued for the third day on Sunday. Jarang claimed that their demand is constitutionally valid and the government has records that Kunbi and Maratha belong to the same caste.

According to Mumbai Police, traffic was affected due to the presence of a large number of agitators at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and nearby intersections. Mumbai Traffic Police posted on ‘X’ and said that during the agitation, drivers are advised to adopt an alternative route.

From tomorrow I will also stop drinking water- Manoj Jarna

The agitating leader Manoj Jarange said that the people of the Maratha community have come to Mumbai to participate in their heart and do not consider them crowded. Reservation workers are on indefinite fast at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai since Friday. Also said that we are demanding 10 percent reservation, which falls in the OBC category. All the Marathas should be recognized as an agrarian caste kunbi, so that they can get reservation in government jobs and education.

He said that “I will also stop drinking water from tomorrow. Because the government is not accepting our demands, but till reservation will not be received. I will not go back. The Marathas will be reservation in OBC.”

The agitators should not understand the crowd

Jarang requested his supporters to keep their vehicles at scheduled parking sites and come to Azad Maidan from the train. He told the Maharashtra government that the agitators should not be considered crowd. On Saturday, there was a conversation between Jarange and the government -appointed delegation, but it remained inconclusive.

He criticized Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and said that retired judge Sandeep Shinde was sent for talks, while he is the chairman of the committee in the Maratha reservation process.

Constitutional amendment required to solve these issues- Sharad Pawar

Chief Minister Fadnavis said that the government is working to fulfill the demands of Jarge in legal and constitutional structure. At the same time, Sharad Pawar, president of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), said that constitutional amendment is necessary to resolve these issues because there is a limit of total reservation. Jarang told that he has fasted seven times and this movement is the ‘final battle’ of his community.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said on Friday (August 29) that the government is positive about the demands of Maratha reservation and is working to find a solution. His statement has come at a time when Manoj Jarang has started an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in Mumbai to demand reservation for the Maratha community.

Ajit Pawar said in Pimpri Chinchwad, ‘The state government has constituted a committee under the leadership of Cabinet Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, which is talking on the issue. Everyone has the right to protest, provided it is done in a peaceful manner. The Mahayuti government is working to solve the demands and we are confident that a solution will come out.

Court had given permission for agitation- Ajit Pawar
When asked about the objection of Manoj Jarange regarding one day permission for the demonstration, Ajit Pawar said that this permission was given by the court. If the court says something, then everyone should follow it literally.

‘Every community needs justice matching’- Ajit Pawar
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) senior leader Ajit Pawar said, ‘We are positive and will find a way out. We are working hard to find a solution through dialogue. At the same time, when asked about the allegations of OBC leader Laxman Heke that some NCP MLAs are supporting the movement of Manoj Jarang, Ajit Pawar said that all communities of the state should get justice.

Cab service i.e. Ola, Uber and Rapido will be absent from the roads on today (Friday, 18 July), a cab service booked through mobile apps in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Even today the strike of the drivers will continue. Drivers demand that the fare they get should be rational and equal to black-yellow meter taxis. It is feared that this movement is going to be more fierce.

This movement, which started on Wednesday (July 16) with the people of this sector of Mumbai metropolitan region, Pune and Nagpur, caused a lot of trouble at the airport and railway station. The Mumbai Airport Operator advised passengers to see the availability of transport or find another option.

Demonstration today in Azad Maidan
Dr. KN Kshirsagar, President of Maharashtra Gig Workers Forum, told the news agency PTI-language that about 70 percent of app-based cabs are missing from roads. This left very few vehicles for booking. Cab drivers will protest at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai from Friday (July 18) to intensify their movement.

KN Kshirsagar said that there was no discussion with the government after a meeting with State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik in the ministry on Tuesday (July 15).

These 6 major demands of cab drivers
Maharashtra Gig Kamgar Manch has demanded to rationalize fares, fare equal fare to traditional black-yellow meters, ban bike taxis, set a limit on black-yellow taxis and autorickshaw permits, constitute welfare boards for app based cab-based cab drivers and implement the Gig Workers Act in Maharashtra on the lines of other states.

Drivers who are forcing other drivers
Some local people have also claimed that the people participating in the strike are forcing their companions to move away from the streets. The Chandivali Citizens Welfare Association shared a video on social media, in which some taxi drivers are seen abusing their partners to bring passengers and not participate in the strike.