Sadavarte Meets Azad Maidan Police Over Alleged Threats by Manoj Jarange
Advocate Gunaratna Sadavarte met Senior Police Inspector Raja Bidkar at the Azad Maidan police station in Mumbai, alleging that activist Manoj Jarange Patil is attempting to politically destabilise the city. He urged the police to take strict note of alleged threats to disrupt critical infrastructure and target the residences of prominent individuals.
Speaking to the media, Sadavarte claimed that Jarange had made statements regarding damaging railway tracks and airports and targeting the homes of important persons. He described such remarks as extremist language, stating that while the Constitution guarantees the right to protest, such demonstrations must operate within legal boundaries.
Sadavarte also raised concerns over the alleged recording and public circulation of phone conversations involving members of the Teli and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities, calling the practice intimidation. He noted that an individual named Gangadhar Kalkute had submitted an application to the Azad Maidan Police detailing allegations of threats to Mumbai, and urged officers to investigate the complaint without waiting for directives from the Mantralaya.
Highlighting past unrest, Sadavarte referred to clashes during protests at Antarwali Sarati and alleged that the ongoing agitation is driven by political motives linked to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis belonging to a non-Maratha community. He further claimed that former Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, along with other political leaders, were actively or indirectly supporting the movement, alleging Jarange was being used as a political pawn.
Sadavarte also criticised State Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil for not publicly condemning the activist's statements. Discussing the quota issue, he stated that several members of the Maratha community had approached him expressing a preference for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) reservations over separate Maratha reservations.
Addressing the proposed agitation in Mumbai, Sadavarte warned that while even a small gathering of 250 people near Azad Maidan causes severe disruption, the upcoming demonstration could draw around 40,000 people. He stated that the police had assured him necessary legal measures would be enforced to preserve law and order across the city.
