Mumbai: Lakhs of Maratha protesters are inching closer to the city, leaving the Eknath Shinde government in a quandary over how to handle the escalating situation. Despite appeals to halt the long march and promises of a favorable resolution on the Maratha quota, the government remains clueless. Supporters of Manoj Jarange-Patil, the organizer of the protest, continue to pour into the capital, with the number currently surpassing one million.
Jarange-Patil and his followers are scheduled to enter Navi Mumbai today, where they will stay overnight before proceeding to Mumbai on Republic Day. The Bombay High Court has declined to issue an order to stop the march, but it has reminded Jarange-Patil that Azad Maidan can only accommodate up to 5,000 people. The court also referenced a Supreme Court ruling from the Shaheen Bagh case, stating that public roads cannot be occupied by protestors. However, Jarange-Patil shows no signs of stopping the march, especially after its success along the 400 km route from Jalna to Lonavala.
The march continues to gain momentum, with thousands of vehicles participating. Arrangements are being made in Khalapur, Raigad district, to cater to the needs of 10 lakh people. Opposition parties are stepping in to provide manpower and financial support. MLA Bachu Kadu is facilitating communication between Shinde and Jarange-Patil. The traffic police have imposed restrictions on heavy vehicles from 7am to noon, anticipating potential road blockades.
The Shinde government finds itself in an unprecedented situation, as no previous government in the state has faced such a massive protest. Resorting to the use of force is not considered a viable option due to the potential for a major law and order problem. The cabinet is divided, with Maratha ministers like Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil supporting Jarange-Patil’s demand, while OBC ministers like Chhagan Bhujbal oppose it. The lack of unity within the cabinet further complicates Shinde’s task.
As a possible solution, it is being suggested that Shinde personally travel to Navi Mumbai and convince Jarange-Patil to call off the march by providing a written assurance of Maratha reservation through a special session of the legislature. It is worth noting that the entire cabinet is preparing to fly to Ayodhya on February 5 for a visit to Ram Lalla.
The ongoing Maratha reservation row raises concerns about the government’s ability to effectively address the demands of the protestors. With no immediate solution in sight, Jarange-Patil’s march towards Mumbai continues, presenting a formidable challenge for the state government.
