The intricate and often volatile issue of Maratha and Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservations has ignited significant internal tensions within Maharashtra's Maha Yuti government, with veteran OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal notably skipping a recent Cabinet meeting. This absence underscored his strong disapproval a day after the state government acceded to Maratha demands for reservation under the OBC category, a move vehemently opposed by the OBC community.

The state government’s decision to accept demands from Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange, particularly the implementation of the Hyderabad Gazette, has been a major flashpoint. This provision allows Marathas from the Marathwada region to obtain Kunbi caste certificates if they can prove their Kunbi lineage, a caste already listed under the OBC category. This has triggered widespread apprehension among OBC leaders and communities who fear that their existing reservation benefits will be diluted.

In response to the escalating unrest, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis moved to de-escalate the situation, assuring Mr. Bhujbal and other OBC leaders that the government resolutions (GRs) concerning Maratha demands would not compromise the rights of the OBC community. He clarified that the GRs are based strictly on documentary evidence, ensuring that only genuine cases from the Marathwada region with verifiable Kunbi lineage records would be eligible for certificates, preventing misuse. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, who chairs the newly formed Cabinet sub-committee for OBC welfare, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that there would be no conflict between the communities.

To address OBC grievances, a nine-member Cabinet sub-committee, led by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, was established. This panel, which includes Chhagan Bhujbal, Ganesh Naik, Gulabrao Patil, Sanjay Rathod, Pankaja Munde, Atul Save, and Dattatray Bharne, is tasked with examining the social, educational, and financial status of the OBC community, reviewing existing welfare schemes, and ensuring fair representation in state services. Despite these efforts, Mr. Bhujbal expressed dissatisfaction, hinting at potential legal challenges against the Hyderabad Gazette GR due to what he perceives as ambiguous language and its legal implications. The Rashtriya OBC Mahasangh, which had initiated a chain hunger strike in Nagpur following Jarange’s indefinite fast in Mumbai, called off its protest after a meeting with OBC Welfare Minister Atul Save, though the underlying tensions remained palpable.

The Maratha protest led by Manoj Jarange in Mumbai brought the city to a standstill, causing widespread disruption and drawing sharp criticism from Mumbaikars. Thousands of Jarange’s supporters converged on South Mumbai, occupying tracts of land and causing significant public hygiene issues, including brazen bathing and defecation at historic landmarks. This paralyzed daily life, with citizens frequently barred from accessing their homes and workplaces, and instances of mayhem, obstruction, and destruction involving drunken youth attempting to enter private establishments.

Mumbaikars expressed profound frustration not only with the major disruption to commuters, senior citizens, and daily wage laborers but also with the perceived deliberate apathy of the administration. The High Court was eventually forced to intervene, with an exasperated judge reprimanding Jarange after being compelled to walk to court due to blocked entry gates. Questions were raised about the absence of political leadership during the crisis, including Chief Minister Fadnavis and other prominent Maratha leaders, while the city struggled. The visit of India's Home Minister Amit Shah to a popular deity further complicated matters, with public roads shut and devotees denied access, even as the Maratha protest continued to cause chaos.

The scale of the protest, with over one lakh Marathas pouring into the city from across the state, fueled speculation about significant financial backing. Despite Jarange's admission that his followers