As they march toward Mumbai, protesters are carrying their own rations and halting every few kilometres to cook meals before resuming their journey. Women from Loha village in Nanded and Khandala village in Latur are standing firmly behind their men, contributing small amounts of Rs 10, Rs 50, or Rs 100 — some even donated food grains — giving whatever they could to sustain the month-long agitation.

From food grains and pulses to bottled water and cooking gas, the villagers have collectively raised a few thousand rupees to keep the protest going.

“This movement is led by a common man, Jarange Patil, for the common Maratha people. It is not politically funded,” the protesters stressed.