Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil addressed thousands of supporters at Patoda in Maharashtra's Beed district at 2:00 a.m. on 16 September, warning that deteriorating physical health may force him to abandon his ongoing march to Mumbai. On the 18th day of his indefinite hunger strike, Jarange Patil said the convoy of supporters trailing his vehicle was becoming unsustainable and could compel him to either return to Antarwali Sarati or resume a sit-in fast locally.

A 2 a.m. Address to a Sleepless Crowd

Despite reaching the venue only around 1:30 a.m., thousands of Maratha community members — including women — had waited through the night to hear him speak. Addressing the crowd with visible physical frailty, Jarange Patil said he had stopped intravenous fluids on 12 September, leaving him barely able to move his limbs.

'Fighting for the children of my community has taken a toll on my body, but I have taken on the government for you. The government wants me to surrender, but should I abandon our demand? My community is greater than any government — it is my father. My community holds the power to bring down any government and install a new one,' he declared.

Key Demands: Gazette Notification for Reservation Records

Jarange Patil highlighted what he described as a significant breakthrough in the movement: 58 lakh archival records — known as nondi — have reportedly been uncovered, potentially enabling nearly 2.5 crore community members to access reservation benefits. He said the immediate goal is to secure an official government gazette notification formalising these records. All documented records have, he claimed, been secured on pen drives as a safeguard.

Direct Attack on Chief Minister Fadnavis

Jarange Patil launched a sharp offensive against Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, alleging that he had countered the CM's political manoeuvres at every step. He went further, accusing CM Fadnavis of 'plotting against his life' — a serious charge that the government had not responded to at the time of reporting. He also questioned the rationale for excluding Maratha farmers from reservation while Other Backward Class (OBC) fruit-orchard owners in Western Maharashtra continue to benefit.

Conditions for Continuing the March

Jarange Patil told supporters not to follow his convoy out of Patoda, instead asking them to proceed directly to Khopoli — or risk him turning back to Antarwali or resuming his fast in Beed. He indicated a preference for travelling straight to Mumbai with a minimal entourage, subject to his physical condition. In an emotional appeal, he also addressed his family: 'I have told my family to live with self-respect. I told my son to step up courageously if I give my life for the community. Let one life be sacrificed for the cause, but never let the dignity of our caste be lowered.'

What Comes Next

The Maratha reservation agitation has been one of Maharashtra's most persistent and politically charged movements, with Jarange Patil emerging as its most visible face. His health deterioration — now in its third week of fasting — has intensified pressure on the Maharashtra government. Whether the Mumbai march proceeds, is suspended, or transforms into a renewed sit-in will likely define the next phase of negotiations between community leaders and the state administration.