Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Wednesday indicated that his planned journey to Mumbai could be cancelled as his health deteriorated during his ongoing hunger strike, with doctors advising immediate hospitalisation.
Jarange's fast entered its 19th day on Wednesday. He reached Patoda in Maharashtra's Beed district at around 11 am, nearly 14 hours after leaving Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district. The journey to Mumbai is more than 400 km.
Doctors warn of severe dehydration
A medical team led by Beed District Civil Surgeon Dr Satishkumar Solanke examined Jarange in Patoda and warned that his condition was critical.
"Manoj Jarange's blood pressure and blood sugar levels have plummeted severely," Dr Solanke said.
The doctor said Jarange was suffering from acute dehydration and was minimally responsive. Although intravenous (IV) fluids were administered, simple saline support would not make him fit to travel, he said.
A further drop in fluid levels could pose a grave risk, while doctors were awaiting his urine analysis reports to determine the next course of action. Dr Solanke said urgent ICU hospitalisation was required.
Jarange had also had no urine output since morning, raising concerns about a possible electrolyte imbalance. Such an imbalance occurs when essential minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium or magnesium in the blood become too high or too low. Symptoms can include weakness and muscle spasms and, if untreated, may lead to serious health complications.
Jarange says Mumbai tour could be cancelled
Speaking at a press conference, the 44-year-old activist said he was experiencing a severe burning sensation in his stomach and feet.
"If I take treatment, the government becomes completely carefree. If I stop treatment, they become anxious. This tour to Mumbai is taking a toll on my health. I can continue if I'm fine, but such a long travel is not good while on a hunger strike. The tour can also be cancelled if there is no option," he said.
"Reservation for the Marathas is more important than the tour, which seems impossible because of the burning sensation in my stomach and feet," he told supporters in Patoda on Wednesday.
Reports said Jarange's health had deteriorated after he stopped taking IV fluids on September 12. He had initially refused medical treatment during the hunger strike but later agreed to receive fluids.
Jarange also appealed to supporters not to follow him in a convoy.
"No vehicle should follow me from Patoda. Please let me go alone. If they continue to follow me, I will change my route and go to Mumbai. I will only keep the police informed. If I am not allowed to enter Mumbai, then you all can come," he said.
Police deny permission for Azad Maidan protest
Mumbai Police have denied permission to Jarange to take his ongoing protest to Azad Maidan, citing law and order concerns during the Ganesh festival.
Despite the denial, Jarange set out towards Mumbai in a convoy of cars on Tuesday. He was scheduled to reach the city on September 19 after travelling through Ahilyanagar, Pune and Khopoli in Raigad district.
According to the original itinerary, he was to leave Patoda at 11 am on Wednesday.
Jarange is demanding reservation for Marathas within the OBC quota based on Kunbi caste genealogy. The Mumbai police have continued to cite security concerns linked to the ongoing Ganeshotsav while rejecting his applications to hold the protest at Azad Maidan.
Government cites law and order concerns
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday that maintaining law and order was the responsibility of the police and questioned the need to hold the agitation during the Ganesh festival.
The government has said it accepted 12 of the 13 demands raised by Maratha protesters that it considered legally valid. Fadnavis has also said the government had explained the legal difficulties surrounding the remaining demand.
Last year, Jarange's hunger strike at Azad Maidan brought south Mumbai to a standstill as thousands of supporters entered the city. The protest was called off on September 2, 2025, after the government accepted six of his eight demands and initiated steps for Kunbi classification certificates.
This year's proposed march has again drawn significant attention because of its timing during Ganeshotsav. Jarange has said he wants to continue his protest despite the denial of permission, while the administration has raised concerns over public order and the impact on the festival.