Mumbai, August 28 – Maratha quota leader Manoj Jarange Patil launched a sharp attack on Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for allowing only a single day’s permission for the upcoming Mumbai protest.
Jarange Patil said thousands of Maratha youths, braving heavy rains, were heading towards Mumbai on motorcycles not out of stubbornness but because of “the pain and struggle of the Maratha community.” He urged Fadnavis to recognize and respect these emotions instead of attempting to restrict the agitation.
Accusing the government of deliberately trying to curtail the protest, he said, “The court may have given directions, but the authority to decide permission was in your hands. Granting just one day is an insult to the poor Maratha youth.”
He warned that the decision had created deep resentment in the community and appealed to Fadnavis to drop what he called a “rigid, anti-Maratha stance.” He reminded the Deputy CM that political power in Maharashtra has always been linked to Maratha support.
“This is your golden chance to win Maratha hearts. If you give reservation, we will never forget your contribution. But if you continue this arrogance, it could destroy your political career,” he said.
Taking a defiant stand, Jarange Patil added, “Even if bullets are fired, I will not back down.” His aggressive remarks have further escalated tensions between the Maratha movement and the state government.
