Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil made a chilling accusation Sunday, claiming a conspiracy is underway to assassinate him during his planned peaceful march to Mumbai. Speaking from his hunger strike site in Antarwali Sarati village, where his fast entered its 16th day, Jarange insisted he would not be intimidated—even by death.

Key facts

  • Jarange’s hunger strike reached day 16 on September 13, 2026
  • He plans to lead a march to Mumbai starting September 15
  • An indefinite hunger strike is scheduled at Azad Maidan from September 19
  • He alleges 58 lakh Kunbi records have been identified for reservation claims

Defiant in the Face of Danger

Jarange pointed fingers directly at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, accusing ruling party associates of planning to infiltrate the march and create chaos—with him as the primary target. His voice held a mix of defiance and weariness as he addressed supporters and media under the open sky.

“I will accept death, but I will not surrender,”

he stated, letting the words hang in the air. He gave the government an eight-day window to resolve the reservation issue before the Mumbai agitation begins.

A March Amid Festivities and Fear

The timing is critical—the march is set to unfold during the Ganpati festivities, from September 14 to 25. Jarange revealed that some Maratha MLAs from the BJP and Shinde’s Shiv Sena have been calling his supporters, urging them not to join. Yet, he appealed emotionally, asking those unafraid to march with him—even if it meant joining his funeral procession.

He plans to depart Antarwali Sarati on September 15, reaching Mumbai by September 19 for the hunger strike. An application for protest permission has been submitted, and Jarange said he’s open to conditions—but not silence.

Historical Context and Legal Backing

This isn’t his first hunger strike in Mumbai. On August 29 last year, he called off a similar agitation after the government accepted some demands. Now, with the Bombay High Court refusing to restrain the protest—citing every citizen’s right to demonstrate—Jarange feels legally bolstered.

His core demand remains: a Government Resolution allowing Marathas to claim Kunbi community reservation within OBC quotas, based on historical records. OBC groups oppose this, fearing diluted benefits. But for Jarange, it’s a fight worth dying for.