Security forces cleared Maratha quota protesters from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) premises on Tuesday, following a Bombay High Court order mandating their removal from the nearby Azad Maidan by 3 PM. The operation, involving 60 jawans of the Riot Control Force, Government Railway Police (GRP), and Railway Protection Force (RPF), ended a four-day occupation that had disrupted operations at one of Mumbai’s busiest railway stations, causing significant inconvenience to passengers.

The Maratha quota agitation, led by activist Manoj Jarange, saw thousands of protesters converge at CSMT and Azad Maidan since August 29, demanding a 10% reservation for the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. Their presence led to overcrowding on platforms, blocked roads, and halted traffic, bringing parts of south Mumbai to a standstill. The Bombay High Court, in a stern directive on Monday, criticized the protesters for violating permissions and ordered them to vacate all areas except Azad Maidan, warning of legal consequences if they failed to comply.

GRP officials at CSMT used microphones to make continuous announcements, urging protesters to leave the station’s concourse and platforms. Authorities also took proactive measures to prevent new protesters arriving by local trains from lingering, with some Maratha community leaders assisting by requesting their supporters to comply with the court’s orders. The operation was swift, restoring normalcy to the station by Tuesday afternoon.

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The crackdown follows days of chaos, with protesters raising slogans like “Ek Maratha Lakh Maratha” and blocking key roads, including Mahapalika Marg and D N Road, as reported earlier. The Bombay High Court had expressed frustration over the disruption, noting that the protests had paralyzed Mumbai and even obstructed access to the court itself. The successful removal of protesters from CSMT marks a significant step in enforcing the court’s directive, with authorities now focused on ensuring no further disruptions occur as the city navigates the ongoing Maratha quota agitation.

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