Mumbai, India’s financial hub, has ground to a halt as the Maratha reservation protests, led by activist Manoj Jarange Patil, entered their fifth day on September 2, 2025, severely disrupting cargo movement and city life. The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) reported that major routes to South Mumbai, including Atal Setu, Navi Mumbai, Panvel, and the Eastern Freeway, are completely closed to heavy vehicles, stranding critical shipments worth thousands of crores. A notable example is heavy machinery for the vessel Jabel Ali Nine, set to sail on September 3, now at risk of missing its deadline, threatening heavy penalties and damage to India’s global trade reputation.

The protests, centered at Azad Maidan, demand a 10% reservation for the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. The agitation has choked key areas like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Churchgate, and Marine Drive, with protesters spilling onto streets, defying permissions that confined them to Azad Maidan. The Bombay High Court, in a special hearing on Monday, slammed the protesters for paralyzing Mumbai and violating conditions, ordering them to clear all streets by noon on Tuesday, September 2. The court warned that the state government must enforce legal measures if the situation persists.

Manoj Jarange, on an indefinite hunger strike since August 29, briefly stopped drinking water on Monday but resumed sips after the court’s directive. He urged his supporters to comply with the court and avoid inconveniencing Mumbaikars, while accusing Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of delaying a decision on Maratha quotas. Jarange insists that recognizing Marathas as Kunbis, an OBC caste, via existing gazetteers could resolve the issue swiftly. The Mahayuti government, under pressure, has formed a 10-member committee led by Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil to negotiate, while Fadnavis promised to follow the court’s orders and explore legal solutions.

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The AIMTC highlighted the economic toll, with exporters and importers facing massive losses as time-sensitive shipments remain stranded. Idle containers, demurrage charges, and stranded drivers without basic amenities are escalating costs and stress. “This is a financial disaster and a blow to India’s credibility,” said Bal Malkit Singh, AIMTC advisor, urging the government to create emergency corridors and provide police escorts for cargo vehicles.

The protests have also sparked chaos beyond logistics, with reports of protesters gathering at vital locations like the High Court and BMC headquarters, disrupting public transport and daily life. The High Court expressed outrage at protesters “bathing, cooking, and defecating” on streets, emphasizing the need to restore normalcy. As Mumbai braces for further disruptions, the standoff between the Maratha community’s demands and the government’s response continues to test the city’s resilience and India’s economic stability.

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