Mumbai
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil declared “We have won” before jubilant supporters at Azad Maidan, following a five-day hunger strike. The Bombay High Court granted him permission to continue the protest until Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
Two-month deadline set
Jarange gave the Maharashtra government a two-month ultimatum to issue a Government Resolution (GR) declaring Marathas and Kunbis as part of the same community—thus enabling Marathas to access OBC reservation benefits. He pledged to leave Mumbai by 9 pm that evening if the GRs are issued; otherwise, he warned he would return.
Court orders and legal pressure
Earlier in the day, the High Court ordered Jarange and his supporters to vacate Azad Maidan by 3 pm, noting that protests at public places cannot be indefinite and must follow legal permissions. The court emphasised that while the right to protest must be respected, it cannot disrupt civic life indefinitely.
Government response and dialogue
Three state ministers—including Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil—visited Azad Maidan and presented Jarange with a draft proposal. It included implementing the Hyderabad Gazette to grant Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas (effectively OBC status), withdrawing cases against protesters by end of September, and offering compensation and job support to affected families.
Enforcement and tension on the ground
Mumbai Police formally declared the protest illegal and issued notices to Jarange to vacate the site. Following the 3 pm deadline, they moved to clear roads and enforce the court’s orders — deploying personnel around CSMT and Azad Maidan. Jarange, however, stood firm, warning authorities that forcibly removing protestors would entail consequences.
“Even if I die, I will not leave Azad Maidan,” he said, refusing to budge despite mounting pressure.
Public disruption and administrative disarray
Civic officials revealed that the protest spiralled into chaos due to severe communication gaps. They had prepared for 15,000 people but lacked accurate data and coordination — resulting in around 35,000 protestors arriving from across the state, overwhelming local infrastructure for several days.