Maratha Quota Protest in Mumbai Enters Fifth Day; HC Orders Streets Cleared by Noon

The Maratha quota protest led by activist Manoj Jarange entered its fifth day on Tuesday, prompting the Bombay High Court to intervene and order all protesters to vacate Mumbai streets by noon. The court noted that the city was “literally paralysed” and that pre-agitation conditions had been violated.

Key Developments:

• Jarange’s indefinite hunger strike continues at Azad Maidan, demanding a 10% reservation for Marathas under the OBC category.

• The High Court instructed the Maharashtra government to take legal steps to restore normalcy and prevent further protesters from entering the city.

• Mumbai Police issued a notice to Jarange, asking him to vacate Azad Maidan.

• Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal warned of potential protests from OBC communities if their existing reservations were altered.

• Jarange’s supporters have turned nearby CSMT station premises into a sporting arena, playing kabaddi, kho-kho, and wrestling.

• Some protesters briefly jumped onto dead ends of the Harbour Line tracks, but were persuaded to move by railway police.

• The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) deployed around 1,000 sanitation workers to maintain cleanliness at protest sites.

• Traffic disruptions continue across south Mumbai, affecting commuters and local transport.

The protest has drawn thousands of supporters from the Maratha community, with crowds gathering at CSMT, Azad Maidan, and surrounding areas, creating significant congestion and disruption in the city.