Mumbai brought to standstill, vacate streets: HC to Maratha quota protesters

The Bombay High Court on Monday asked Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange's supporters to vacate all streets by Tuesday noon and restore normalcy, noting the stir was not peaceful as promised by organisers and had brought the city to a standstill.

Describing the situation as grim on the fourth day of the hunger strike by Jarange at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, the HC, during a special hearing, observed that all pre-agitation conditions have been violated and asked protesters to stay within confines of the designated area for stir.

A Bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad stated that since the protesters do not have valid permission to continue the stir, it expects the Maharashtra Government to follow the due procedure laid down in law by initiating appropriate steps. The government shall also ensure no more protesters enter the city henceforth, it said.

As the HC came down heavily on protesters for not remaining at Azad Maidan - the designated place for the agitation - and blocking vital areas and roads in south Mumbai, the 43-year-old activist asked his supporters to follow the court directives and not inconvenience people by roaming on streets.

Jarange, who is demanding inclusion of Marathas in the OBC category for reservation benefits, stopped drinking water in the afternoon, but took some sips in the evening while addressing his supporters after the HC directives.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said his administration will implement the HC directives on the Maratha quota protest and added the Mahayuti government is deliberating on finding legal options to resolve the standoff.