Overview

• Manoj Jarange Patil reached Azad Maidan on Friday and launched an indefinite hunger strike seeking recognition of all Marathas as Kunbis so the community can access OBC reservations.
• Over 1,500 Mumbai Police personnel are deployed at the ground with support from CRPF, RAF, CISF and Maharashtra Security Force, with SRPF and specialized units on standby.
• Police permission limits the protest to 9 am–6 pm on August 29 with a 5,000-person cap, only five protest vehicles allowed inside, and no rallies or loudspeakers permitted.
• Officials anticipated turnout far exceeding the cap, prompting closures on key routes including the Eastern Freeway and Sion-Panvel Highway and added security at CSMT.
• The state reiterated a previously granted 10% quota for Marathas and offered talks through a cabinet sub-committee led by Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, while OBC groups oppose reallocation of their quota.