Maratha Reservation: HC gave orders to clear Mumbai roads, what did CM Fadnavis say | Important points

News Topical, Digital Desk : The Bombay High Court on Monday (September 1) said that the Maratha reservation agitation led by activist Manoj Jarange has brought the entire city to a standstill and that the protest is not peaceful and all conditions have been violated. The High Court urged for restoration of normalcy in Mumbai and gave Jarange and his supporters an opportunity to improve the situation and clear all roads by Tuesday afternoon.

Where is Manoj Jarange protesting?

Manoj Jarange has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai since August 29. A bench of Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad said in a special hearing that the protesters have not stopped at Azad Maidan, the designated place for the agitation, and have blocked many important areas of South Mumbai.  

Why is Manoj Jarange protesting?

He is demanding 10 percent reservation for the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. He is demanding 'Kunbi' status for Marathas so that the community can get the benefit of reservation in educational institutions and government jobs under Other Backward Classes (OBC). His supporters claimed that Jarange has stopped drinking water since Monday.  

What did the High Court say?

The court said that the protesters have gathered at important places like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Churchgate Railway Station, Marine Drive and High Court building. The court said that the movement is not peaceful. Zarange and other protesters have violated every condition set while allowing a peaceful demonstration at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai. The bench said, 'We are giving Zarange and his supporters an opportunity to immediately improve the situation and ensure that the roads are cleared by Tuesday afternoon.'

What did CM Devendra Fadnavis say?

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said that the administration will implement the Mumbai High Court's directives on the ongoing protest led by Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange. He also said that the government is considering possible legal options to resolve the Maratha reservation issue.

Manoj Jarange warned

Manoj Jarange warned that if Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis does not pay heed to the reservation demands of the community, more than five crore Marathas will come to Mumbai. Jarange also asked the reservation agitators to ensure that Mumbaikars are not inconvenienced by them.

Where was the jam?

The protesters gathered at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and other areas in south Mumbai, causing traffic jams and inconvenience to commuters. A large number of protesters were seen dancing and raising slogans in support of reservation at CSMT. The crowd swelled at the station. The station is just a few metres away from Azad Maidan, where Jarange is on a hunger strike.

BEST buses are not going towards CSMT

BEST has also suspended buses on all routes going towards CSMT. They are operating on diverted routes or have reduced services.

Police dispersed the protesters

Some protesters tried to block vehicles, including BEST buses, on roads near CSMT, BMC areas and Metro Theatre but were dispersed by the police.

Read More: Colonies and villages in danger! Yamuna flowing above the danger mark; Mathura on high alert