Maratha reservation protest: Conspiracy to kill me during Mumbai march, alleges Jarange

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Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil said he would not be intimidated by government inquiries against him or his associates. File | Photo Credit: Emmanual Yogini

Activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Sunday (September 13, 2026) alleged a conspiracy to kill him and create trouble during his proposed ‘peaceful’ march to Mumbai to press for Maratha reservation, asserting that he will not succumb to pressure.

People associated with the ruling parties could be sent into the march to create chaos and target him, Mr. Jarange, whose hunger strike entered the 16th day on Sunday (September 13, 2026), claimed while addressing supporters and media persons at the protest site at Antarwali Sarati village in Maharashtra's Jalna district.

"I will accept death, but I will not surrender," he said, adding that the government still had eight days to resolve the issue before the proposed Mumbai agitation.

"We will have to respond when someone steps on the tail of a snake," Mr. Jarange stated, warning that his supporters could politically challenge some Ministers.

Targeting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, he alleged that those in power were conspiring against him, and claimed there was a plan to create trouble during his proposed Maratha march to Mumbai.

Mr. Jarange on Saturday (September 12, 2026) announced that he and his supporters would set out for Mumbai on September 15 and start an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in the state capital from September 19 for Maratha quota in jobs and education.

The activist has called for the march during Ganpati festivities, to be held from September 14 to 25.

On Sunday (September 13, 2026), the activist claimed that some Maratha MLAs from the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena were calling his supporters and asking them not to participate in the march.

"There is a conspiracy to shoot me during the march. They do not want to kill Marathas, but want to target me," he alleged. I will not surrender," Mr. Jarange said.

He urged supporters not to join if they were afraid, but emotionally appealed that they should march to Mumbai — and, if necessary, even join his funeral procession.

Mr. Jarange said he would leave Antarwali Sarati for Mumbai on September 15. "I will reach Mumbai on September 19 and sit on a hunger strike at Azad Maidan at 10 am. We believe in the law and the judiciary," he said.

Mr. Jarange said an application had been submitted seeking permission for the protest and that the government could impose conditions on the agitation.