The Bombay High Court on Monday agreed to hold a special hearing on a petition challenging the ongoing agitation in Mumbai led by activist Manoj Jarange, who is demanding reservation for the Maratha community.
Although the court has been on holiday since August 27 for the Ganesh festival and was scheduled to resume on Tuesday, a special bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad decided to hear the matter this afternoon on a plea filed by the Amy Foundation against the protest.
Jarange has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan since August 29, demanding a 10 percent quota for the Maratha community under the Other Backward Class (OBC) category. His protest has drawn thousands of supporters, causing heavy crowding across major junctions in south Mumbai’s business district.
The petitioner had earlier moved the high court last week, arguing that prolonged occupation of public places for protests causes inconvenience to citizens. On August 26, the court had observed that demonstrations cannot continue indefinitely in public spaces and should only be allowed with proper permissions. The bench had also suggested that the government consider granting permission for the protest in Navi Mumbai’s Kharghar area instead.
Authorities initially granted Jarange a one-day permission to hold his protest at Azad Maidan, which was later extended by another day. However, the activist has remained firm, declaring on Sunday that he will not leave Mumbai until his demands are met.
On Monday, the petitioner sought an urgent hearing, raising concerns over the disruptions caused to daily life by the continuing protests.
