Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar on Wednesday, 16 September appealed to Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil to call off his proposed march to Mumbai during Ganeshotsav and the Gauri festival, urging the community to pursue remaining demands through dialogue rather than street agitation.

The Government's Appeal

Addressing reporters in Mumbai, Minister Shelar called on all stakeholders to prevent disruptions for citizens and devotees during the festive season, particularly in Mumbai and Pune. He stressed that the Mahayuti government — led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar — remains fully open to resolving all pending Maratha reservation issues at the negotiating table.

What the Government Claims It Has Done

Shelar stated that 13 out of 14 major demands raised by the Maratha community have already been addressed. He listed measures including special legislation for Maratha reservation, implementation of the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) quota, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) opportunities, and sustained legal defence of the quota in court.

The government has also reportedly streamlined caste certificate processing and documentation, established a dedicated commission, and issued government resolutions ensuring scholarships and maintenance allowances for Maratha students on par with Other Backward Class (OBC) benefits. A Cabinet sub-committee headed by Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil continues to work on the outstanding point.

Shelar's Message on Language and Protest

The minister also registered his displeasure over the tone of statements made during Jarange Patil's agitation. 'Everyone has the right to express their position and agitate for their demands. However, insulting language used against Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde cannot be accepted,' Shelar said, adding that differences of opinion were welcome but personal insults were not.

He cautioned that taking an extreme position while a Cabinet Group was actively discussing outstanding issues risked complicating matters further. 'Instead of intensifying the agitation, the path of dialogue should be adopted, and care should be taken to ensure that citizens face no inconvenience during Ganeshotsav,' he appealed.

Concern for Jarange Patil's Health

Shelar also expressed concern for the activist's well-being. 'Manoj Jarange Patil should take care of his health. We are also concerned about his well-being,' he said, urging the activist to engage through constructive dialogue rather than a march that could inconvenience pilgrims and devotees during one of Maharashtra's most significant festivals.

What Happens Next

Jarange Patil's response to the government's appeal is awaited. The Maratha reservation agitation has seen multiple cycles of protest and negotiation over recent years, with the community demanding inclusion in the OBC category for reservation benefits — a demand that has also drawn objections from existing OBC groups. With Ganeshotsav drawing large crowds across the state, any large-scale march to Mumbai could create significant logistical and law-and-order challenges. All eyes are now on whether Jarange Patil heeds the government's call and opts for dialogue over the streets.