The Bombay High Court is set to hear on Monday a petition challenging the ongoing agitation led by Manoj Jarange Patil, who has been pressing for a 10% Maratha reservation under the OBC category.
On August 26, the High Court had restrained Jarange from staging protests without prior permission from the competent authority, emphasising that public spaces can’t be occupied indefinitely. The court directed him and his supporters to abide strictly by conditions laid down by the police if permission was granted.
The bench also noted that the state government was free to provide Jarange an alternative protest site outside Mumbai, especially considering the heavy law-and-order responsibilities of the police during the Ganpati festival, which began on August 27.
The order came while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Amy Foundation, which sought to restrain Jarange’s proposed agitation.
Permission Granted At Azad Maidan
Despite the restrictions, the police allowed Jarange to hold a day-long protest at Azad Maidan on August 29, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The permission was later extended on August 30 & 31 with the same conditions.
Authorities capped participation at 1,500 protestors inside Azad Maidan and permitted around 5,000 supporters to enter the city.
However, in reality, the turnout crossed 25,000 supporters, bringing South Mumbai (SoBo) to a standstill. The Foundation alleged that most conditions imposed by the police were openly flouted.
Citing these violations, Amy Foundation has once again sought urgent intervention from the High Court. The matter, initially listed for September 9, will now be heard today.
Jarange’s Ultimatum
Jarange has set a deadline of August 26 for the Maharashtra government to grant the Maratha community a 10% OBC quota. Failing this, he warned of mass mobilisations.
True to his warning, he threatened to begin a march to Mumbai from August 27, Ganesh Chaturthi, and to launch an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan from August 29 if demands were not met.
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