Maratha activist Manoj Jarange's health worsens during Mumbai march, doctors advise hospitalisation

Manoj Jarange Patil's march towards Mumbai in support of the demand for Maratha reservation has run into a major setback. His continuing hunger strike has badly affected his health, and he is now finding it difficult to even move from his spot.

At 11 am on Wednesday, he was due to move from Patoda towards the next halt, Shrigonda, but stayed put in Patoda because of his poor health. This has left it unclear whether he will resume his journey today or remain at Patoda in Beed.

Beed district civil surgeon Dr Satish Solanke and his team travelled to Patoda and conducted a medical examination of Jarange. The examination found that his blood sugar level and blood pressure had dropped very low, and that he was close to severe dehydration.

Doctors have put him on saline, but say it will not be possible to complete the journey to Mumbai on saline alone, and that he needs to be hospitalised immediately. A final medical decision will be taken after Jarange's urine report comes in, but doctors have warned that his health could be seriously affected if he is not treated immediately.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Police have rejected both applications filed so far for Manoj Jarange's fast at Azad Maidan, after which Jarange has filed a third application. Mumbai Police have also asked for the mobile numbers, personal details and vehicle details of 50 Maratha activists who are to take part in the protest at Azad Maidan.

Manoj Jarange himself will decide who these 50 activists will be, and the list will be handed over to Azad Maidan police station. Whether police grant permission for the protest once this information is received remains to be seen.

It is being said that Manoj Jarange will file a petition in the Bombay High Court seeking an urgent hearing to secure permission for the fast at Azad Maidan, though no such petition has been filed yet.

Meanwhile, senior Mumbai Police officers went to the High Court and met government pleader Shishir Hiray. Police authorities are presenting their legal arguments to government lawyers on why Mumbai Police denied permission for Jarange's protest and why the court should not allow it either.