Maratha Quota Protest Causes Major Traffic Disruptions in Mumbai
Massive traffic chaos as thousands demand reservation
The roads near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in south Mumbai faced severe traffic congestion on Friday as thousands of Maratha quota protesters gathered, spilling onto the streets leading to Azad Maidan. Activist Manoj Jarange, who arrived in Mumbai on Friday morning after a march from his village Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district, is set to launch an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan to demand a 10 per cent reservation for Marathas under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
Traffic Chaos and Road Closures
The protest caused significant disruptions, with BEST buses and other vehicles stuck for over 30 minutes during morning peak hours near CSMT. Senior police officers urged protesters to clear the roads to allow vehicular movement, with efforts ongoing to regulate traffic.
The Mumbai police closed several key roads, including Panvel-Sion Road, V N Purav Road, Eastern Freeway, P D’Mello Road, Wallchand Hirachand Marg, Dr Dadabhai Nauroji Road, and Hajarimal Somani Road, for all vehicular traffic except emergency service vehicles, effective from 6 am Friday until further notice.
Also Read: Maratha Quota Protest Faces Tragedy, Heavy Security
Protesters’ Demands and Sentiments
Jarange, accompanied by hundreds of vehicles, was welcomed by supporters at Vashi as he entered Mumbai. Thousands of Maratha community members, who have been arriving in the city over the past few days, echoed strong sentiments at Azad Maidan. Nanded farmer Maruti Patil, 40, expressed frustration, stating, “If you cannot give us reservation, then shoot us dead. The government has no idea how difficult our lives are.”
Others, like Uddhav Nimbalkar from Beed, criticized the government for neglecting the protesters’ basic needs, pointing out the lack of temporary shelters amidst rain and slushy conditions. “Had this rally been led by a prominent leader, the civic body would have erected huge pandals,” Nimbalkar said, demanding immediate OBC quota inclusion for Marathas.
Balasaheb Deshmukh, another Beed resident, highlighted the community’s struggles, particularly in providing education for their children. Jarange’s core demand is for all Marathas to be recognized as Kunbis, an agrarian caste under the OBC category, making them eligible for reservation in government jobs and education.
Police Regulations and Security Measures
The Mumbai police have permitted Jarange to stage peaceful protests at Azad Maidan from 9 am to 6 pm on Friday, with a cap of 5,000 protesters and only five vehicles allowed at the site. Over 1,500 police personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order, with additional security at CSMT, where many supporters have arrived from Maharashtra’s hinterlands.
The Jalna police imposed 40 conditions on Jarange’s march, including avoiding law-and-order issues, not disrupting vehicle movement, and refraining from objectionable slogans. Jarange assured that the protests would remain peaceful and not interfere with the ongoing Ganesh festival.
Also Read: Jarange Sees ‘Right Time’ for Fadnavis to Grant Maratha Quota
