The Bombay HC on Monday ordered to remove Maratha quota protesters from different locations in the city except for Azaad Maidan, stating that the agitation was not peaceful. The HC said the protests, led-by Manoj Jarange, was not at all peaceful and violated all conditions. The court said the protests have brought the entire city to a standstill and vital places in south Mumbai surrounded by protesters.

The court urged the state government to restore normalcy in Mumbai. The chaos began when Manoj Jarange Patil announced a fresh protest seeking reservation for Maratha people, claiming that the state government was taking longer than required to fulfil the promises made to him the last time he sat on a protest.

Marahta reservation protest 2.0

Activist Manoj Jarange on Monday warned that more than 5 crore Marathas will come to Mumbai if Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis does not listen to the quota demands of the community. The protest entered day four on Monday with the city seeing continuous jams and ruckus as protesters went out on the streets. Jarange alleged that Fadnavis was deliberately delaying a decision on the issue.

“It is so easy to take a decision (on providing quota to the community). The state government has to just say that it is implementing the Hyderabad, Satara and other gazetteers and declare all Marathas in Marathwada as Kunbis. The distribution of such certificates can be done by the district collectors and tehsildars,” Jarange said, quoted PTI.

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“Marathas are waiting to arrive in Mumbai. They are waiting for the right time. More than 5 crore Marathas will come to Mumbai if Fadnavis does not listen to the demands of the community,” he warned. He claimed three supporters have died since he began his protest on August 29, the report added.

Jarange’s request to protesters

Activist Manoj Jarange also appealed to protesters to ensure that people of Mumbai do not face any inconvenience. This was after hundreds of Maratha community members gathered at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and other areas in south Mumbai, causing traffic congestion and inconvenience to commuters.

The police traffic heading towards CSMT area, while the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking also suspended, diverted or curtailed buses on all routes leading to CSMT, officials said.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane said his government has given 10% reservation to Maratha, which the MVA couldn’t do.

“…The Fadnavis government granted a sustainable 10% reservation to the Maratha community, but during the Maha Vikas Aghadi government’s tenure, this reservation was not maintained… Whenever the BJP government has come to power, it has ensured justice for the Maratha community…” he said.