Maratha Protest Brings Mumbai to a Standstill, Bombay HC Questions Govt on Inaction

Mumbai continues to witness chaos as the Maratha reservation protest entered its fourth consecutive day with no signs of slowing down. Led by Manoj Jarange Patil, thousands of protestors have taken to the streets, bringing parts of the city to a halt. Patil has intensified the agitation by announcing a “jal tyag” (refusal to drink water) from today, heightening tensions further. Several key areas, including CSMT station, Metro Cinema Junction, Juhu, and the Freeway, are facing massive traffic jams as protestors block roads and stage sit-ins. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government, under CM Devendra Fadnavis, is holding urgent meetings, but a resolution still seems distant.

Bombay HC Slams Govt, Demands Action Report by Tomorrow

The Bombay High Court came down heavily on the Maharashtra government during today’s hearing. The state submitted video and photographic evidence showing protestors violating rules and creating public inconvenience. The court questioned why the government had not acted despite granting conditional permissions and witnessing repeated violations. The government defended itself, citing the sensitive law-and-order situation and assured the court that the police are trying their best to control the crowds.

In a significant directive, the High Court ordered the government to take strict action against protestors demonstrating outside Azad Maidan and submit a detailed action report by tomorrow afternoon. The court also announced that it will resume the hearing at 3 PM tomorrow to review the situation and assess compliance with its orders.

Political Involvement Alleged, Tensions Rise Further

During the hearing, advocate Gunratna Sadavarte alleged that the protest is being fueled by political interference. He claimed that leaders from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) are supplying food and water to protestors via trucks, indirectly supporting the agitation. However, advocate Anand Kathe, representing the Maratha community, objected to these allegations, leading the court to intervene and warn against unauthorized remarks.

Reports also surfaced of violence and harassment at protest sites, including an incident where a water bottle was thrown at MP Supriya Sule and female journalists were allegedly harassed. These developments indicate a growing law-and-order challenge for the Mumbai Police.

Daily Life Disrupted, No End in Sight

The Maratha reservation protest has severely disrupted daily life in South Mumbai. Several major roads remain blocked, forcing authorities to reroute traffic and deploy additional police forces. In one shocking incident, a differently-abled woman remained stuck in traffic for over five hours. The court expressed concern over the continued hardships faced by citizens and asked the government how long the situation would persist.

On the other hand, protestors remain firm on their demands, warning of a complete city-wide blockade if their demands are not met. With thousands of protestors camping in Mumbai with days’ worth of food and water supplies, it’s becoming evident that the agitation is gearing up for a prolonged standoff.

(Report: Pankaj R Mishra)