Maratha activist alleges death threat ahead of Mumbai agitation

Manoj Jarange Patil, who has spearheaded demands for Maratha community reservations in Maharashtra, claimed Tuesday that there were plans to kill him during the proposed Mumbai march. Despite the alleged threat, the activist said he remained undeterred in his commitment to the cause. "I will accept death, but I will not surrender," Patil declared, signaling his resolve to continue the agitation.

The activist has set an eight-day deadline for the state government to find a resolution to the reservation issue, after which he indicated the movement would escalate to a major protest in Mumbai. The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions over the implementation of Maratha reservations, a contentious issue that has divided political opinion in Maharashtra.

Jarange Patil's allegations have intensified focus on the security situation surrounding the movement and raised questions about potential opposition to the Maratha reservation campaign. The state government has not yet publicly responded to the death threat allegations. The confrontation underscores the high stakes and emotional intensity surrounding reservation politics in the state.