Maratha quota protests: Will ensure no inconvenience to public, designate places for peaceful protests, state assures HC

The state was responding to plea by lawyer Gunaratan Sadavarte challenging the rally, hunger strike and protests for Maratha Reservation organised by various organisations under the leadership of Manoj Jarange-Patil.

Advocate General Birendra Saraf, appearing for the state, submitted that it will follow the legal position enunciated by the Supreme Court in its 2020 Shaheen Bagh case judgement and if required, the state will find an appropriate place for the agitators for peaceful protests.

In its October 7, 2020 judgment in the matter concerning the Shaheen Bagh anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Bill) protests, the SC had ruled that protests must be carried out “in designated areas alone” and “public ways and public spaces cannot be occupied.. and that too indefinitely”.

A division bench of Justice Ajey S Gadkari and Justice Shyam C Chandak was hearing Sadavarte’s petition seeking directions from the court to stop Jarange-Patil from entering Mumbai for his scheduled protest demanding Kunbi (OBC) status for Marathas, apprehending law and order situation in the city.

AG Saraf told the bench that state will take all steps to maintain law and order and will consider everyone’s rights in the matter.

Saraf submitted that the state will take “all necessary measures to prevent blockage of public way/ways, which may cause inconvenience to the commuters due to the said agitation by Jarange-Patil”.

He added that “if deemed necessary, the state government may make an endeavour to allot appropriate designated place(s) to respondents for conducting peaceful agitation”. Saraf further submitted that “if need arises, the State will adopt necessary measures to avoid breaching public peace and maintain law and order.

The bench issued a notice to Jarange-Patil seeking his response to the plea and posted the matter for further hearing to February 14.