Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Monday directed Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange’s supporters to vacate all streets by Tuesday noon and restore normalcy, observing that the agitation has not been peaceful and has brought the city to a standstill.

Court cites violation of conditions

Describing the situation as grim on the fourth day of Jarange’s hunger strike at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, the HC noted that all pre-agitation conditions have been violated. Protesters were instructed to stay within the designated area.

A bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad said, “We are giving Jarange and his supporters an opportunity to rectify the situation immediately and ensure the streets are vacated and cleaned up by Tuesday noon.”

The court emphasised that since the protesters do not have valid permission to continue, the Maharashtra government should follow due legal procedure to restore order. “The situation is grim and the city of Mumbai has been practically brought to a standstill,” the bench added.

Protest disrupting city life

The HC criticised protesters for blocking vital areas including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Churchgate railway stations, Marine Drive promenade, and even the high court building.

“We can see how peaceful the protest is. The high court building is surrounded. The entry gates for the judges and lawyers are blocked. The cars of high court judges were blocked today and prevented from coming to court today. The entire city has been blocked,” the bench said.

The court questioned Jarange’s claim of lakhs of supporters joining the stir: “He has said he will go on a fast till death and will not leave Mumbai till his demands are met. He (Jarange) is giving a clear threat. Why is the state government not getting the roads cleared?”

It also highlighted unhygienic conditions: “Protesters are bathing and cooking and defecating on the streets.”

Jarange and government response

Jarange, who demands inclusion of Marathas in the OBC category for reservation, asked his supporters to follow court directives and avoid roaming the streets. He stopped drinking water in the afternoon but took some sips in the evening while addressing supporters.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “I was travelling, so I do not know exactly what the court observed. I got to know that the court has observed that some violations have taken place regarding the permissions given for the protest. The court has expressed displeasure over whatever is happening on the roads of Mumbai.”

Cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal, an OBC leader, opposed Marathas’ inclusion in the OBC quota, saying, “Only 17 per cent reservation is available for 374 communities under the grouping in the state. Lakhs of people from the OBC communities will stage protests if the reservation meant for them is slashed.”

Jarange accused the government of delaying a decision on the issue. “It is so easy to take a decision (on providing quota to Marathas). The government has to just say it is implementing Hyderabad, Satara and other gazetteers and declare all Marathas in Marathwada as Kunbis. The distribution of such certificates can be done by district collectors and tehsildars,” he said.

Doctors examined Jarange earlier in the day during the hunger strike, which began on Friday. The bench instructed the government to provide medical assistance if his health worsens.