Activist Manoj Jarange on Monday warned that more than five crore Marathas will come to Mumbai if Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis does not listen to the quota demands of the community. Jarange, whose stir for a quota for the community entered its fourth day at Azad Maidan in the southern part of the metropolis, accused Fadnavis of deliberately delaying a decision on the issue. Meanwhile, NCP Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule faced sloganeering by Maratha reservation activists when she arrived to meet Jarange. On her way back after meeting him, Jarange's supporters blocked her car and started sloganeering.
Manoj Jarange reportedly claimed that moles planted by Maharashtra's ruling party have been trying to create a ruckus while opposition politicians are visiting Azad Maidan. “See who are the ones creating chaos. If there are videos of that incident, watch them. We should see if the people sent by the government are the ones creating chaos,” Lokmat reportedly quoted Jarange as saying after there was sloganeering when the NCP leadership arrived to meet the activist.
"The government can create riots. Because my children do not do anything like that. The people who are causing the chaos may be people from the government. That is why they behaved like this. Everyone, be careful. Do not disturb any leader who comes here, I will watch everything else," Jarange Patil also said.
He told his supporters that it is their responsibility to respect every politician who arrived at the protest place. Irrespective of party lines, they should let the leaders visit them, he said. "If you create a ruckus when the leaders come, no one will come to you. Whether it's a BJP leader or a leader of any other party, a Shiv Sena leader, an NCP leader, or a leader of any other party, treat them with respect. We should respect them. But, when we feel that we are not getting reservation, let's see what to do. But now, even if the leader of any party comes here, don't say anything against them. Now all the responsibility is on you," the Lokmat report quoted Manoj Jarange as saying.
"Marathas are waiting to arrive in Mumbai. They are waiting for the right time. More than 5 crore Marathas will come to Mumbai if Fadnavis does not listen to the demands of the community," the activist warned. Jarange also asked quota protesters to ensure Mumbaikars are not inconvenienced by them. Hundreds of Maratha community members seeking a quota have gathered at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and other areas in south Mumbai, causing traffic congestion and inconvenience to commuters.
The police diverted traffic heading towards the CSMT area, while the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking also suspended, diverted, or curtailed buses on all routes leading to CSMT, according to officials. Jarange also claimed three supporters have died since he began his protest on August 29.