Saturday, August 30, 2025 | Vol. 68 No. 281 | 42 Pages Reg.No MCS/048/2021-23; RNI No. 1541/1957 M.p.c.s office Mumbai. PIN 400001 THE FREE PRESS JOURNAL INDIA EDITION | www.freepressjournal.in ● Leader in E-paper circulation GAMES NATION Rahul should apologise for abuses hurled at Prime Minister Modi, says Amit Shah PV Sindhu knocked out of World Championships by Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani. Cinema Check out our verdict on OTT and film releases Edit As a society, is India headed towards total anarchy? MAXIMUM CITY, MAXIMUM SIEGE ‘Ek Maratha, Lakh Maratha’ protesters inundate Mumbai Poonam Apraj MUMBAI One man, a political non-entity until a few years ago, brought Mumbai to its knees on Friday. Maratha Kranti Morcha leader Manoj Jarange Patil stormed the city from the interiors of Maharashtra and held it to ransom forcing millions of Mumbaikars to put up with extreme hardship with heavy rains adding to their woes. Because of the Ganesh festival the metropolis' streets were already choc-a-bloc with devotees visiting different pandals. The ongoing agitation demanding Maratha reservation intensified on Wednesday as thousands of protesters gathered at Azad Maidan. Demonstrators from various parts of the state are making their way to the protest site, leading to massive traffic congestion on the Mumbai Freeway. With routes ahead blocked, frustrated motorists were forced to abandon their vehicles, bringing traffic on the arterial road to a complete standstill. With the activists blocking OUTSIDE CSMT arterial roads at CST, Eastern Freeway, BKC and other areas vehicular traffic went for a big toss. Even the local trains were not spared with thousands of protestors jamming the compartments, including those reserved for ladies. Azad Maidan was a sea of humanity with the protestors sporting saffron scarves chanting slogans like “Ek Maratha, Lakh Maratha" (One Maratha is equal to lakh Marathas). Thousands of protestors poured in through Harbor and Central Railway lines, leading to heavy crowding at CSMT station. Chaos as arterial roads blocked 1 2 3 4 Massive traffic congestion Rain adds to commuters' woes While number of protesters were capped at 5,000, over 40,000 turned up CSMT swamped by crowds 5 FPJ Analysis S Balakrishnan T One more day for Jarange in Azad Maidan? Kalpesh Mhamunkar MUMBAI Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Friday began an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai, saying he would “either secure reservation for Marathas or die fasting.” He has sought a one-day extension to continue to press for his demands. He reached the protest site around 9.45 am, and was greeted by thousands of supporters wearing saffron caps, scarves, and waving flags. Long queues of vehicles stretched across the Eastern Freeway, while traffic slowed in city’s southern and eastern parts. Office-goers heading towards business hubs like Nariman Point and Crawford Market faced major inconvenience, with heavy congestion reported around CSMT. BEST buses, taxis, and private vehicles were caught in long traffic snarls. Though Jarange appealed to his followers not to block roads, many areas remained gridlocked. “Clear the streets in two hours and ensure Mumbaikars are not troubled. Those who want to leave the city today should be allowed to go,” he instructed his supporters. 360° VIEW EASTERN FREEWAY Shah factor The traffic chaos worsened as curbs were put in place in view of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit for darshan of Lalbaugcha Raja. Jobs as jab CM in call for restraint Kalpesh Mhamunkar MUMBAI The demand for Maratha reservation has once again ignited political turmoil in Maharashtra. Jarange’s announcement has not only drawn large crowds but also triggered a fierce exchange of allegations URJIT PATEL IS IMF ED between the ruling alliance and the Opposition. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis appealed for restraint, insisting that the government was committed to finding a legal and constitutional solution to the issue. “Our stand is clear—we are positive about Maratha reservation. No one Agencies The government has appointed former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor and economist Urjit Patel as the Executive Director (ED) at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for three years. The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by PM Narendra Modi, and will take effect from the date Patel assumes charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier. Patel’s appointment follows the termination of the tenure of former IMF Executive Director Krishnamurthy V Subramanian, whose services were ended by the government six months before completion of his three-year term on April 30. Subramanian’s removal was linked to “diplomatic issues” and differences in opinion with the IMF, according to officials. 4Contd on | nation should attempt to spark a conflict between the Maratha and OBC communities. Some parties are trying to exploit this issue for political gain, but such divisive politics will backfire,” said Fadnavis, indirectly targeting Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar without naming them. Basic facilities Amid allegations of lack of adequate facilities at Azad Maidan, BMC arranged for toilets, water and medical care for the protesters. SEE CITY India, Japan pledge deeper cooperation amid increase in US tariffs and global trade tensions NEW DELHI NEW DELHI CSMT STATION As Manoj Jarange Patil mobilised mostly unemployed youths, the government sought to blunt his edge by inking deals to create 33,000 jobs. Modi, Ishiba forge strong partnership Ashwin Ahmad Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday confirmed that PM Narendra Modi had discussed the US tariff issue with his Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba, during talks in Tokyo. He said the two leaders exchanged views on the “global situation and the impact that some of these moves have had.” According to Misri, Modi and Ishiba emphasised how recent trade barriers provided both the ground and the logic for closer India–Japan cooperation. The discussions focused on strengthening business and economic ties, making supply chains more resilient, and diversifying resource bases. The statement followed wide-ranging talks between the two PMs during Modi’s two-day visit to Japan. Modi will next travel to China for the SCO summit. The visit comes days after US President Trump imposed 50% tariff on Indian goods. Japan too faces similar trade friction with Washington, with Tokyo’s chief negotiator even cancelling a trip to the US this week over differences on a trade deal. US media reports indicate that the visit has not yet been rescheduled. 4Contd on | nation offgrid 947 voters from one village in one house? Dheeraj Kumar Rahul Gandhi points to a curious case in Nidani village in Gaya district. The EC explanation fails to clarify the confusion PATNA Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has claimed that the draft electoral rolls released in Bihar after the first phase of the special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls show "an entire village" in Gaya district to be "residing in the same house". Gandhi shared a Congress social media post in which it has been claimed that 947 voters of a booth are residing in a house in Nidani village. BIG BLUNDER, BIGGER COSTS "See the magic of EC. An entire village has settled down in one house," Gandhi remarked. He is presently on his Voter Adhikar Yatra, against the attempt of vote theft in Bihar by BJP in complicity with the EC. Congress wrote on 'X', “In Nidani village of Gaya district, under Barachatti assembly segment, ‘all 947 voters’ of a booth have been shown to be "residents of house number six. This is about just one village. We can only imagine the scale of irregularities at the state and national level," it claimed. While questioning booth level officer (BLO)’s door-todoor verification, Congress asked why actual house numbers were omitted from the voter list and who would benefit from this. “This is no ordinary mistake, but a mockery in the name of transparency. When house numbers are erased, it becomes easy to hide fake voters, duplicates, and ghostly identities,” it claimed. 4Contd on | nation he Mahayuti government made a huge tactical blunder by permitting the seventh pass Maratha quota leader Manoj Jarange Patil (43) to stage a protest at Azad Maidan on Friday because of which all hell broke loose in Mumbai badly inconveniencing millions of Mumbaikars on a rainy day. The government well knew that street congestion in the metropolis would peak during the ongoing Ganesh festival and if thousands of people from the interiors of the state pour in that too when there are heavy rains, there will be massive chaos. And that is exactly what happened on Friday. It is learnt that the city police, already under severe strain because of the festivities,  had advised the government to refuse permission, but the Home Department helmed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis went on the backfoot and ordered that permission be granted. His government had unanimously passed the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Act in 2018, but it was promptly shot down by the Supreme Court for primarily breaching the 50 per cent cap on reservations. Jarange Patil wants ten per cent of the quota reserved for OBCs and given to Marathas; a proposal vehemently opposed by the OBCs.  Only on Tuesday, the Bombay High Court had restrained Jarange Patil from holding any protest sans police permission. So the state government was under no compulsion to give permission. Apparently, the government developed cold feet and feared that there would be a serious law and order problem if permission was de- nied. It was a gross error of judgment for which lakhs of Mumbaikars paid a heavy price. There were massive traffic snarls with people getting stuck on their cars and buses for hours together. In January, 2024 too Jarange Patil and the legion of his supporters had threatened to storm Mumbai. But the city police firmly told him that there was no way in which he could enter the city and create mayhem. In tandem with the Navi Mumbai police, Mumbai cops warned the Maratha leader of severe consequences if he and his supporters dared to breach the elaborate security cordon. He got the message and returned to his home turf Antarwali Sarathy village in Jalna district with his ego badly bruised.   Only on Tuesday, the Bombay High Court had restrained Jarange Patil from holding any protest sans police permission. So the state government was under no compulsion to give permission The government had set several conditions while permitting Jarange Patil to observe fast at Azad Maidan. Each of these conditions were violated by his supporters with impunity. One of the terms was that he would enter the city with only five thousand supporters. The actual number of people who turned up with saffron scarves was over 40,000, according to police estimates. They came in trucks, cars, SUVs and tempos fully packed with food and beverages of the right type indicating that they were here for a long haul. At several places on the Eastern Freeway and other roads the protestors blocked traffic. 4Contd on | city BIZ BRIEFS Rupee hits all-time low GDP at 7.8% in Q1FY26 The rupee tumbled to a record low against the US dollar on Friday, dragged down by concerns over 50% tariffs on Indian goods. Breaching the 88-mark for the first time, the Indian currency fell 51 paise on the day to 88.09 rupees to the dollar. “Markets are awaiting clarity on the final GST changes. Sentiment remains weak, and the rupee is expected to trade within a range of 87.65–88.45,” said Jateen Trivedi, VP-research analyst, commodity and currency, LKP Securities. SEE MONEY The economy grew 7.8% in the quarter of the current year ended June 30, recording the highest expansion in five quarters, NSO said on Friday. The real GDP grew by 7.8% against 6.5% registered in the first quarter of the previous year. GDP at constant prices is estimated at Rs 47.89 lakh crore, against Rs 44.42 lakh crore. Nominal GDP rose 8.8% to Rs 86.05 lakh crore against Rs 79.08 lakh crore. India’s strong external position is a key to its credit profile. SEE MONEY Reliance Jio IPO by H12026 Reliance Jio, India’s biggest telecom operator and a unit of the country’s most valuable company Reliance Industries, is planning to launch its IPO, and listing in the first half of 2026, Mukesh Ambani said on Friday. Jio has already crossed 50 crore user-base. Though he did not disclose the quantum of shares to be listed, analysts expect a 10% share sale. Jio Platforms, the holding company of all digital properties including telecom arm, is currently 66.3% owned by Reliance Industries. Facebook (Meta) holds a 10% stake in Jio Platforms, while Google has 7.7%. Private equity investors hold the remaining 16%. SEE MONEY