Maratha activist Manoj Jarange may have to call off Mumbai protest, cites deteriorating health

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange's health worsens during his hunger strike, prompting doctors to recommend immediate hospitalization.

With doctors stating that he needs immediate hospitalisation, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange, who is on his way to Mumbai, said on Wednesday that his tour might be cancelled due to the health issues arising from his ongoing hunger strike.

Jalna: Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange rests on the 16th day of his indefinite fast, at Antarwali Sarati village, in Jalna district, Maharashtra, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (PTI)

His blood pressure and sugar level were very low and he was suffering from acute dehydration, a government doctor said.

Jarange, whose fast entered the 19th day on Wednesday, reached Patoda in Maharashtra's Beed district at around 11 am, nearly 14 hours after setting out from Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district, more than 400 km from Mumbai.

Addressing a press conference, the 44-year-old activist said he had a severe burning sensation in the stomach and feet.

Mumbai Police have denied permission to Jarange, who has been demanding reservation in the OBC quota for the Marathas with the Kunbi caste genealogy, to take his ongoing protest to Azad Maidan. Police cited law and order concerns amid the Ganesh festival for rejecting his application.

Undeterred, Jarange on Tuesday set out for the Maharashtra capital in a convoy of cars.

"Reservation for the Marathas is more important than the tour, which seems impossible because of the burning sensation in my stomach and feet," he told the crowd in Patoda on Wednesday.

Jarange also appealed to his supporters to let him go to Mumbai alone.

"No vehicle should follow me from Patoda. Please let me go alone. If they continue to follow me, I will change my route and go to Mumbai. I will only keep the police informed. If I am not allowed to enter Mumbai, then you all can come," he said.

A medical team led by Beed District Civil Surgeon Dr Satishkumar Solanke examined Jarange in Patoda and warned that his condition was critical.

"Manoj Jarange's blood pressure and blood sugar levels have plummeted severely," Dr Solanke said.

"He is suffering from acute dehydration and is minimally responsive. While we administered intravenous (IV) fluids immediately, simple saline support will not make him fit to travel. A further drop in fluid levels poses a grave risk. We are awaiting his urine analysis reports to determine the next course of action, but hospitalisation in an ICU is urgently required," the doctor said.

Jarange had no urine output since morning and his situation can cause electrolyte imbalance, Dr Solanke further said.

An electrolyte imbalance occurs when the levels of essential minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium or magnesium in the blood become too high or too low. Symptoms include weakness and muscle spasms. If untreated, it can cause serious health complications.

Last year, Jarange's hunger strike at Azad Maidan had brought south Mumbai to a standstill as thousands of his supporters poured into the city. The stir was called off on September 2, 2025, after the government accepted six of his eight demands and initiated steps for Kunbi classification certificates.

This time, however, the BJP-led state government has adopted a stern approach.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday that maintaining law and order was the responsibility of the police. He also questioned the need to stage the agitation during the Ganesh festival.

The government had accepted 12 of the 13 "legally valid" demands raised by Maratha protesters, Fadnavis said.

Jarange was scheduled to reach Mumbai on September 19 after passing through Ahilyanagar, Pune and Khopoli in Raigad district.

According to the original itinerary, he was to depart Patoda at 11 am on Wednesday.