Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday, 15 September issued a firm public appeal urging Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil to reconsider his proposed march to Mumbai, warning that the agitation risks disrupting millions of Ganesh devotees during the ongoing Ganeshotsav festivities. The appeal came hours after Mumbai Police denied permission for the planned demonstration at Azad Maidan, citing law and order concerns.

Shinde's Direct Appeal to Jarange Patil

Speaking to the media, Shinde invoked the Maratha community's own record of peaceful agitation — noting that the movement has previously conducted 58 massive rallies that earned worldwide praise for exemplary discipline. He called on the protest organisers to extend that same spirit of responsibility to the current moment.

'Ganeshotsav is a major festival, drawing lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad to Mumbai,' Shinde stated. 'The government's priority is to ensure no inconvenience is caused to Ganesh devotees and that law and order is maintained. Just as the government has taken four steps forward, Manoj Jarange Patil should also adopt a cooperative approach and reconsider his decision to enter Mumbai,' he said.

Shinde also cautioned that external elements must not exploit the sentiments of underprivileged Maratha youth or steer the movement toward a political agenda, reaffirming the administration's openness to constitutional dialogue on all sub-judice matters.

The 10% Quota: What the Government Has Done

Defending the state's record on Maratha reservation, Shinde outlined a series of legislative and administrative measures. Following the findings of the Justice Shukre Commission, a special legislative session was convened to enact a 10 per cent quota for the Maratha community in jobs and education — a provision he said is currently being utilised by students and youth across the state.

Despite ongoing legal challenges and a Supreme Court stay on the quota, the state government reportedly ensured job appointments for 5,300 previously-stalled candidate selections. Under the Justice Shinde Committee, dedicated cells at district collectorates have verified historical records, issuing lakhs of Kunbi caste certificates statewide.

Financial and Welfare Benefits Expanded

Shinde further noted that the interest-free loan ceiling under the Annasaheb Patil Arthik Vikas Mahamandal has been raised from ₹10 lakh to ₹15 lakh. Additional welfare provisions — including foreign study scholarships, hostel accommodations, and concessions through the SARTHI institute — have been aligned with existing Other Backward Classes (OBC) welfare schemes.

The deputy chief minister emphasised that these measures were designed to benefit the Maratha community without compromising the rights of OBCs or other communities.

Why Mumbai Police Denied Permission

Mumbai Police's refusal to grant permission for the Azad Maidan agitation centred on the scale and sensitivity of Ganeshotsav, one of Mumbai's largest annual gatherings. Authorities cited the risk to public safety and the potential disruption to lakhs of pilgrims as the primary reasons for rejecting the application, according to reports.

What Comes Next

The standoff between the state government and Jarange Patil over the timing and location of the protest now enters a critical phase. With the Supreme Court stay on the 10 per cent Maratha quota still in place and community sentiment running high, the coming days will test whether the government's appeal for dialogue gains traction — or whether the march proceeds in defiance of the denial.