The Bombay High Court on Monday directed the Maharashtra government to evict Maratha quota protesters from all locations in Mumbai except Azad Maidan. The Court observed that the agitation had brought the city to a standstill, noting that permission had been granted for only 5,000 participants, but the number of demonstrators had far exceeded that. It further highlighted that no approval was given for an indefinite strike.
The Court will hear the case again on Tuesday and has asked the state government to provide details of the steps taken to control the situation.
Meanwhile, activist Manoj Jarange, spearheading the protest at Azad Maidan, warned that more than five crore Marathas would march to Mumbai if Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis fails to accept the community’s quota demand. Accusing the CM of deliberately stalling the decision, Jarange asserted that the government could easily resolve the matter by implementing gazette records from Hyderabad, Satara, and other regions, and recognizing Marathas in Marathwada as Kunbis. According to him, certificates could be distributed by district collectors and tehsildars without delay.
Jarange urged protesters to ensure that ordinary Mumbaikars are not inconvenienced by the demonstrations. However, hundreds of protesters have already gathered at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and surrounding areas, leading to traffic chaos and commuter disruptions. Police diverted traffic near CSMT, while BEST suspended, curtailed, or diverted several bus routes in south Mumbai.
Jarange also claimed that three of his supporters have died since his agitation began on August 29.
