On Wednesday, Atul Salukhe closed his small photocopy and grocery shop and traveled 20 km to Dharashiv. The farmer from Patoda village in Dharashiv district, who also runs a tractor-on-hire business, attended Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil’s “peace rally” with his entire family, including his elderly grandmother.

“This meant a day of less pay, but the cause is more important,” said Salukhe, referring to the demand for a quota for Marathas.

Last month, Jarange-Patil ended his fast-unto-death for a Maratha quota under the OBC category after the state government promised to meet his demands, giving them a deadline of July 12. He warned that failure to fulfill these demands would lead Marathas to mobilize against the ruling Mahayuti alliance of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP for the Assembly polls. As the deadline approaches, Jarange-Patil’s yatra has drawn large crowds, often delaying scheduled rallies by up to three years.

Marathas make up around 34% of the state’s population. The Mahayuti government is hesitant to grant their OBC inclusion request, fearing similar demands from other OBC groups. Meanwhile, the BJP understands that losing Maratha support to the Maha Vikas Agadi contributed to their poor performance in the state.

Volunteers, mostly local Maratha youth, managed the roads and crowds in Dharashiv, ensuring cleanliness by picking up litter, including used water bottles.

Salukhe and two friends traveled to Dharashiv on a single motorcycle, admitting to violating traffic rules. However, traffic police were too occupied with the influx of people carrying saffron flags to notice.

Rohan Shelar, 24, from Medsinga village in Buldhana district, missed out on Army recruitment by two marks and has since dedicated himself to the cause. “Where are the jobs? I have finished my graduation and now I am looking after my family’s 10 acres of land. Our family has taken a break from all farm activities to be present for Dada,” he said, adding that his younger brother must not miss out on opportunities like he did. “This is the fight for the present and future generations.”

At the city entrance, as people lined up to see Jarange-Patil, Shahji Somvamshi and friends from Shahapur village in Tuljapur taluka discussed soybean farming costs and the quota leader’s growing support among the Marathas.

“Look at the prices of soybean and the rising input costs. We have not made any money for one-and-a-half years. Reservation in the OBC category is the only solution. If not jobs, we will be able to get the benefit of lower education fees. At present, our children cannot afford professional courses and are dropping out,” said Somvamshi.

Pandurang Survase, the village’s former sarpanch, explained why Jarange-Patil has gained Marathwada’s support. “Marathas in Vidarbha have managed to get Kunbi certificates (entitling them to OBC status) while the Maratha community in western Maharashtra is relatively well off. However, we in Marathwada have almost nothing to fall back on. Our crops are more susceptible to weather vagaries, and lack of industries means no jobs for us. This fight is not just for reservation, it is for our survival,” he said.

The government has allowed Maratha persons with records showing they belong to the agrarian Kunbi community to get reservation under the OBC category, as will their blood relatives. Kunbis are categorized as OBCs.

On Tuesday in Latur, Jarange-Patil criticized the government, claiming he had to hold rallies due to a “conspiracy” against the Maratha community. He accused BJP leader and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and minister Girish Mahajan of “provoking OBC leaders to go against the Marathas.”

In Dharashiv, the predominantly young male crowd discussed Jarange-Patil’s influence on the Lok Sabha elections. “Look at Nanded, the Congress candidate was virtually unknown, yet he won. Let Dada just give us a hint, and we will teach the politicians a lesson they will never forget,” said a young man in the crowd. The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) won seven out of eight Lok Sabha seats in Marathwada. Local Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Baburao Ankush Chavan said the Maratha leader should not directly enter politics but should guide the political course.

Around 1 pm, excitement peaked as Jarange-Patil’s convoy arrived in Dharashiv, and slogans of “Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji, Dada tum age bado, hum tumahre saath hai” (Dada, you lead the way, we are with you) were raised. Standing atop his car and waving to the crowd, Jarange-Patil, in his signature white shirt with a saffron stole, was greeted with admiration. “Sada manush (a simple man),” remarked someone in the crowd, illustrating why Jarange-Patil is so popular.