The Maratha quota agitation at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan entered its second day on Saturday, with protesters braving heavy rains and flooded grounds while voicing concerns over the lack of basic amenities.
Lakhs of supporters have gathered in solidarity with activist Manoj Jarange, who began an indefinite fast on Friday demanding a 10% reservation for the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
Continuous rainfall since Friday morning worsened conditions for those arriving by trains and other public transport, as puddles formed across the protest site. The situation forced many agitators to spill over near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, causing severe traffic disruptions.
Protesters alleged a shortage of food and claimed that shops around the venue were shut by the authorities. They also raised concerns about inadequate facilities to ensure safety, sanitation, and hygiene on the ground.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), however, stated it had arranged for water drainage, sanitation, and mobility at the protest site. In a release, the civic body said all nearby ‘pay-and-use’ toilets were made free of charge for protesters.
The BMC also claimed to have installed 29 toilets inside Azad Maidan, deployed three mobile toilet units with 10 seats each along Mahatma Gandhi Road, and set up 12 portable toilets near the Metro site. Gravel was also spread on muddy paths to improve accessibility, the statement added.
