Following the Mumbai Police's rejection of a fresh request from Jarange's supporters, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange warned on Tuesday that more Marathas would arrive in Mumbai over the weekend, reiterating the plan for a 'major protest' on Monday. He issued a clear warning to the officials: “If you arrest us it will be dangerous for you. If you do a lathi charge it will be even more dangerous.”
Earlier today, The Mumbai Police officially turned down a new request from Jarange's supporters to persist with their indefinite demonstration at Azad Maidan, citing ongoing breaches of rules and temporary orders from the Bombay High Court.
Officials had sent a notice to Jarange, instructing him to leave the Azad Maidan grounds, where he and his supporters have been protesting for the last four days. The notice also requested explanations for several alleged violations, such as traffic disturbances, damage to public property, and unauthorized actions at the protest location.
Authorities instructed Jarange and his followers to refrain from demonstrating at Azad Maidan without the necessary authorization and to limit their protests to Kharghar in Navi Mumbai.
Nonetheless, on August 29, Jarange and his supporters initiated a hunger strike at Azad Maidan, drawing nearly 40,000 protestors and approximately 11,000 vehicles into South Mumbai, leading to significant traffic congestion. It was reported that over 5,000 vehicles were parked illegally near the High Court, Mantralaya, railway stations, and major roads, disrupting access to hospitals, courts, and government offices.
The notice also underscored the extension of the protest beyond the one-day authorization for August 29, involving senior citizens, one of whom reportedly threatened suicide and a protestor's attempted self-immolation. Authorities observed that nearly 40,000 people gathered despite permission for only 5,000, with unauthorized use of loudspeakers, cooking, bathing, defecating in public spaces, and road blockades at CSMT, Churchgate, and other intersections.
Police highlighted provocative remarks by activists, including threats to bring “5 crore Marathas” to Mumbai if their demands were unmet. The Bombay High Court noted that the state government must determine the course of action, observing that Jarange had prima facie breached the conditions of the granted permission and lacked valid authorization to continue the protest. The court stressed that the state should adhere to legal procedures in taking appropriate measures.
