Mumbai Maratha Protest LIVE: HC seeks Jarange Patil’s reply to pleas alleging violations during protests

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will meet the protesters in Nagpur taking part in a chain hunger strike over the apprehension that Marathas would be given reservation under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, a local BJP leader said. The Rashtriya OBC Mahasangh had launched the chain hunger strike at the Samvidhan Chowk here on August 30, a day after activist Manoj Jarange began his indefinite fast at Azad Maidan in Mumbai to press for the Maratha quota demand. - PTI

The Maharashtra government on Wednesday set up a nine-member cabinet sub-committee to expedite the welfare measures for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and resolve issues related to reservation. The move came a day after activist Manoj Jarange called off his five-day-long hunger strike in Mumbai with the state government accepting most of his demands, including granting eligible Marathas Kunbi caste certificates, which will make them eligible for reservation benefits available to the OBCs. - PTI

NCP leader and Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal said he would move the court against the Government Resolution (GR) or order issued by the state government for expediting the grant of Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas. Indicating his displeasure about the GR issued amid Maratha leader Manoj Jarange's hunger strike, Bhujbal, a prominent leader from the Other Backward Classes, did not attend a cabinet meeting earlier in the day. "OBC leaders have doubts about the GR....as to who won after Jarange's agitation. We are seeking legal opinion on whether the government is authorized to change people's caste," the leader said. - PTI

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut credited Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for resolving the Maratha quota agitation and ending the activist Manoj Jarange's hunger strike, in a rare appreciation of the BJP leader. Raut said if the government has addressed the issue and saved Jarange's life, then it should be welcomed. “Devendra Fadnavis was involved in the deliberations to resolve the issue. He was working in the background. All credit must go to Fadnavis,” said the Sena (UBT) leader. - PTI

More than 125 metric tonnes of garbage was collected from Azad Maidan and its surrounding areas in south Mumbai during the five-day-long Maratha quota agitation, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said on Wednesday. Azad Maidan was the ground zero of the Maratha reservation protest launched by activist Manoj Jarange. He began his indefinite fast on August 29 and called it off on Tuesday afternoon after the Maharashtra government accepted most of his demands. - PTI

A day after some Maratha community leaders raised concerns about the government resolution (GR) on reservations, quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil expressed confidence on Wednesday that all Marathas would be included in the OBC category. He also urged the Maratha community not to believe in rumours.

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BJP MLC Parinay Fuke said the Devendra Fadnavis-led dispensation issued the GR on Maratha quota after taking all members of the cabinet into confidence, and claimed that no OBC leader was disappointed with it. Nobody would move court against the government resolution (GR), he expressed confidence, saying legal experts maintained that the existing Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota would remain unaffected. - PTI

Lawyers representing Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil and other protesters Wednesday informed the Bombay High Court that the issue was resolved after the intervention of the Maharashtra government.

The court was hearing pleas against the protests held at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai from August 29 to September 2.

The Court asked the respondent protesters and organisers to file affidavits in reply within four weeks to show that they were not behind the damage to property caused, if any, and to deny such allegations.

After the bench of Acting Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Aarti Sathe said that there was large-scale damage to the property by the protestors, the lawyers representing organisers said such allegations were based on old photographs.

Senior advocate Satish Maneshinde, appearing for protesters, also said that the Mumbai Police have filed FIRs against some protesters and the authorities will take care of the same.

He said that Jarange Patil and others did not instigate protesters to cause any inconvenience.

The court said it will dispose of the pleas after perusing affidavits and indicated that it will not pass any adverse orders.

A day after Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange ended his fast, doctors attending to him in a hospital here on Wednesday said he had dehydration and low blood sugar, and was being administered intravenous (IV) fluids, news agency PTI reported.

Jarange, after ending his fast on Tuesday, left the venue in an ambulance for a medical check-up. He was then shifted to a private hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the PTI report stated.

"He is stable, but has dehydration and his blood sugar is a little low. He has weakness due to this. We have given him IV fluids. Blood reports are a little good. His kidneys are also good," a doctor monitoring his health told PTI.

"We will reduce his weakness by medication and then he will be given food orally. Last night (after admission in hospital) he had juice. He will be on liquid diet probably till tomorrow," the doctor said. (PTI)

Nine FIRs have been registered against Maratha protesters in South Mumbai for instances over past few days.

More details soon.

From food packets to plastic bottles, chappals to discarded flyers and posters, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) removed 1.01 lakh kg or 101 Metric Tonnes (MT) of waste items from Azad Maidan and its adjoining areas between August 29 and Tuesday morning while protest against the Maratha reservation was underway.

The overall waste removed is equal to the full capacity of 54 waste compactor dumpers each having a capacity of 1,850 kg each, that were pressed into operation for collection and transporting the accumulated solid waste.

Besides this, the BMC’s data show that 466 sanitation workers were deployed by the authorities during this period for clearing the piles of waste.

Know more here.

With every passing day starting from Friday, the Mumbai Police learnt from what worked for them in handling protesters and refined their strategies to ensure that protestors did not throw life completely out of gear in Mumbai.

Taking a leaf out of the book and realising that protestors were unwilling to listen to anyone, but Jarange-Patil, senior officers then gathered video clips of his interview in which Jarange-Patil had requested protestors not to do anything that would inconvenience Mumbaikars.

Nearly 1,500 police forces deployed on duty hardly got the time to sleep for a few hours. Two additional commissioners of police, 12 deputy commissioners of police, 350 senior officials and nearly 1,300 constables were deployed round-the-clock in south Mumbai to keep a watch on the protesters.

Here's how the Mumbai Police handled the crowd over the past few days.

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil Tuesday withdrew the agitation after receiving the official Government Resolution (GR) on the implementation of the Hyderabad gazette, granting Kunbi status to Marathas of the Marathwada region.

The other three gazettes will require at least a month’s time. Six out of Patil’s eight demands were accepted as he welcomed the draft resolution, claiming victory.

However, it has left community leaders and experts in doubts about whether the GR will really be beneficial while they flagged flaws in the draft resolution.

“I genuinely feel that the GR issued today does not provide any new benefit to the Marathas of Hyderabad Sansthan. Earlier too, certificates were issued based on genealogical records. So what is new?” Sanjay Lakhe Patil, Convener, Maratha Kranti Morcha said.

Activist Manoj Jarange, who called off his 5-day long agitation for the Maratha reservation cause in Mumbai on Tuesday afternoon, will undergo treatment at a private hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, doctors said. (PTI)

Maratha quota protesters dispersed from Azad Maidan on Tuesday, with many thronging the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to catch trains, after activist Manoj Jarange ended his five-day-old hunger strike. (PTI)

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday announced forming a committee to issue Kunbi caste certificates to Maratha community members with historical evidence of their Kunbi heritage, a social group classified as an Other Backward Class (OBC) in the state.

The government made this announcement in a resolution and it followed hectic talks between state ministers and activist Manoj Jarange, who was on a hunger strike at Mumbai's Azad Maidan to demand OBC reservation for Marathas. He later ended his five-day-old fast. (PTI)

After the protest for Maratha quota ended on Tuesday, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said, "My objective was to give justice to the community."

"We will continue to work for all communities in Maharashtra, be it Marathas or OBCs," he added.

He said there are some misconception among OBCs over reservation to Marathas, but "it is misplaced."

Earlier, Bawankule said, “Taking away the concessions of 353 sub-castes in the OBC category to give them to Marathas is not acceptable to anyone.”

On Monday, Maharashtra Minister and senior OBC leader Bhujbal had said that Marathas should not be accommodated in the quota for Other Backward Classes, citing that only 17 per cent reservation is available for 374 communities in the state. Bhujbal also warned that lakhs from the OBC community will stage protests if the reservation meant for them is slashed.

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil has withdrawn the agitation after the receiving the official government resolution (GR) on the implementation of the Hyderabad gazette, granting Kunbi status to Marathas of the Marathwada region, bringing the protest to an end on the fifth day. Ending his fast, he left Azad Maidan in an ambulance for medical checkup.

Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil ends hunger strike after accepting government proposal in presence of Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, during massive rally demanding Maratha community reservation. (Express Photo/Ganesh Shirsekar)

Visuals of Maratha quota activists celebrating at Azad Maidan as Manoj Jarange Patil claimed victory after accepting the government's draft proposal.

Maharashtra minister and former state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said it was unjustified to take away reservation from one community and give it to another, after the government assured Jarange Patil of a government resolution to implement the Hyderabad gazette, news agency PTI reported.

While claiming that no government in the state, other than those led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his predecessor Eknath Shinde, had done justice to the Maratha community, Bawankule said, "Taking away the concessions of 353 sub-castes in the OBC category to give them to Marathas is not acceptable to anyone."

On Monday, Maharashtra Minister and senior OBC leader Bhujbal had said that Marathas should not be accommodated in the quota for Other Backward Classes, citing that only 17 per cent reservation is available for 374 communities in the state. Bhujbal also warned that lakhs from the OBC community will stage protests if the reservation meant for them is slashed.

Patil went on a hunger strike at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, seeking a 10 per cent quota for the Maratha community in government jobs and education under the OBC grouping.

The Hyderabad Gazette plays a key role in the ongoing demand for Maratha reservation in Maharashtra, especially in the context of granting the Kunbi caste status to Marathas.The 1918 Hyderabad Gazette, issued by the Nizam-era government, documents certain communities including many from the Maratha community in the Hyderabad State (now Marathwada region of Maharashtra) — as Kunbis, a recognized OBC (Other Backward Class) category in Maharashtra.

In the Hyderabad State, the Maratha community had a significant presence, with representation in both administrative power and employment. Recognizing this, the Nizam government officially categorized the community as Kunbi and granted them reservations in education and jobs through a formal order. This order was published in the official Gazette of the Hyderabad State, which is why it came to be known as the "Hyderabad Gazette."

This document is still considered valid and is accepted as a reference in many ongoing legal cases. It was also cited during earlier demands for Maratha reservation in Maharashtra. The Gazette includes official government documentation noting that the Maratha community has historically been socially and educationally backward.This is why Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil is demanding not only the implementation of the Hyderabad Gazette but also the inclusion of records from the Satara and Bombay Gazettes.

Quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil has accepted the draft resolution after the panel of ministers, led by Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, assured him that a Government Resolution (GR) will be issued to implement the Hyderabad gazette, granting Kunbi status to Marathas of the Marathwada region.

With this, six out of eight demands of Jarange Patil have been accepted.

"We have accepted the draft, now government should issue the GR, the scholars have also gone through it and have approved it," Jarange said.

The government has assured that the Hyderabad gazette will be implemented through a government resolution (GR), while the other three gazettes will require at least one month's time.

Jarange has been demanding the implementation of Hyderabad, Satara, Bombay and Aundh gazettes that can grant Kunbi status to Marathas.

As Jarange Patil has agreed to withdraw agitation after government assured to issue a government resolution (GR) for the implementation of Hyderabad Gazette, Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil instructed the police to not trouble the protesters while they are celebrating

After the delegation assured a government resolution (GR) would be issued for listing Marathas of Marathwada with the Kunbi status in the Hyderabad gazette, quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil said, “We will be celebrating mainly once we go back to our village. Celebrations will be carried out at every village.”

Jarange has been demanding the implementation of Hyderabad, Satara, Bombay and Aundh gazettes that can grant Kunbi status to Marathas.

The delegation of ministers has given assurance to quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil that a Government Resolution (GR) would be issued for the implementation of Hyderabad gazette that will give Kunbi status to Marathas of Marathwada.

Jarange accepted the proposal and said that as soon as the GR would be issued, he would leave Mumbai along with his supporters. The government said it would issue the GR within an hour's time.

Patil, addressing his supporters after meeting the ministers delegation, said, "Our demands were already presented to the government in written form. The first issue was the immediate implementation of the Hyderabad Gazette, which we had demanded. The government has now made a decision on this. Minister Vikhe Patil has given an assurance that if the protesters agree to the proposal, the government will issue a Government Resolution (GR) on it. The sub-committee has decided to approve the proposed demand for the implementation of the Hyderabad Gazette."

"According to this government decision, an action plan is proposed under which individuals from the Maratha community in the village will be issued Kunbi caste certificates after verification, if their relatives, clan members, or people from the same village have already been issued such certificates," he added.

Jarange has been demanding the implementation of Hyderabad, Satara, Bombay and Aundh gazettes that can grant Kunbi status to Marathas.

Minister and head of the cabinet sub-committee on the Maratha quota issue Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil has presented the draft proposal to activist Manoj Jarange Patil.

He is being accompanied by Minister Manikrao Kokate and Minister Shivendra Raje Bhosle, a descendant of Shivaji I, founder of the Maratha Empire.

The Bombay High Court accepted request made by senior advocate Satish Maneshinde and other lawyers for Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil and other protesters seeking breather to engage in dialogue with sub committee of the state cabinet. The court adjourned hearing on plea against permission granted for protests at designated site at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai to Wednesday (September 3), 1 pm.

"We must indicate that this court would be constrained to pass any orders and to go to any extent to uphold the majesty of the law in as much as any breach of the order passed by this court shall not be tolerated and appropriate action shall be taken against violators," noted a bench of Acting Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Aarti Sathe remarked and said that the organisers will have to answer issues raised by the court.

Minister and head of the cabinet sub-committee on the Maratha quota issue Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Minister Manikrao Kokate and Minister Shivendra Raje Bhosle, a descendant of Shivaji I, founder of the Maratha Empire, have reached Azad Maidan to meet Manoj Jarange Patil.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Law & Order) Satyanarayan Chaudhary and DCP Sangaramsingh Nishandar along with around a hundred policemen are requesting people to vacate the road and footpath outside BMC headquarters and Kila court.

Cabinet sub committee head Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said the decision to vacate protestors from the streets of Mumbai is according to the Bombay High Court's orders.

A police team reached Azad Maidan ahead of the 3pm deadline set by Bombay HC. Maratha leaders told protestors that apart from 5000 people at Azad Maidan, rest should leave for Navi Mumbai, as per the HC's directives issued on Monday.

On Monday, Bombay High Court issued directives asking protesters all areas of Mumbai except for Azad Maidan by Tuesday noon.

Security personnel have removed Maratha quota protesters from CSMT Railway Station's premises, which they had been occupying for the last four days.

On Monday, Bombay High Court issued directives asking protesters all areas of Mumbai except for Azad Maidan by Tuesday noon, claiming that the city was “literally paralysed” due to Maratha agitation.

Maintaining that his hunger strike will continue on Tuesday, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil reiterated that he will not leave Mumbai.

"Even if I die, I’ll not leave Mumbai till demands are met," he said once again.

He, however, instructed his supporters to follow court orders and do not trouble Mumbaikars.

"You travel by public transport. Don’t bring vehicles. Even if I die, don’t resort to violence. Follow path of peace for our demands," he said.

Jarange Patil has also instructed his supporters to leave Mumbai with vehicles and clear the roads in front of CSMT station and the BMC building.

Following his instructions, several vehicles now have started moving in these areas.

The Mumbai Police Tuesday served a notice to Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil at Azad Maidan, asking the protesters to vacate the premises today.

Earlier, Patil asserted he won’t leave Azad Maidan even if he dies, after Mumbai Police issued a notice asking all protesters to vacate the key location today, citing violation of interim order that laid out conditions while granting them permission for the agitation.

Patil also said he was ready for talks with the Maharashtra government, and will ensure they accept quota demands.

(Express Photo by Akash Patil)

Doctors conduct a check-up of Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil's health as he continues his protest at Azad Maidan.

Denying any violation of law, Patil refused to leave the premises of the protest site early Tuesday after Mumbai Police issue notice to the protesters asking them to vacate Azad Maidan.

The pictures here show Patil being checked for his blood pressure levels during his ongoing protest.

(Express Photos by Akash Patil)

Commenting on Bombay High Court's order to empty streets by Tuesday noon, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said, "Mumbai cannot be vacated. This Mumbai was not given to Maharashtra and to Marathi people by the High Court. It was given to Maharashtra and Marathi people after struggle of thousands of people. Maharashtra Govt can decide."

"What can we expect from the Court where BJP’s spokespersons are sitting as judges,” Raut said.

After about four days of the protests, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) station is being cleared, and announcements are being made following court order that protestors should vacate the premises.

Traffic situation is comparatively better as many roads were opened to public. The checking of vehicles by police at entry points has also reduced.

The Mumbai Police on Tuesday issued a notice to the protesters who have gathered in large numbers at Azad Maidan, as well as other key locations, including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) station, since August 29 this year.

In its notice, the police cited various rules, which they alleged were violated by the protesters.

The notice stated:

The Mumbai Police on Tuesday issued a notice to the protesters who have gathered in large numbers at Azad Maidan, as well as other key locations, including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) station, since August 29 this year.

In its notice, the police cited various rules, which they alleged were violated by the protesters.

The notice stated:

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil Tuesday morning said that he will not vacate Azad Maidan under any circumstances until his demands are fulfilled.

“Even if I die, I will not leave Azad Maidan. If the government tries to evict us, it will prove costly affair to them. Remember , you might charge lathis on Marathas today and evict them from here, but you also have to visit the different parts of Maharashtra. If you want to see what Marathas are after 350 years, then go ahead and try to remove us from here," Jarange declared, adding that the movement will continue until the Satara and Hyderabad gazettes are implemented.

The Mumbai Police on Tuesday issued a notice to the protesters who have gathered in large numbers at Azad Maidan, as well as other key locations, including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) station, since August 29 this year.

In its notice, the police cited various rules, which they alleged were violated by the protesters.

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Tuesday asserted that the protesters had not violated any law, after Mumbai Police issued a notice asking all protesters to vacate Azad Maidan today, citing violation of interim order that laid out conditions while granting them permission for the agitation, news agency PTI reported.

He said he was ready for talks with the Maharashtra government, and will ensure that they accept quota demands.

He also asked protesters to maintain peace, PTI report stated.

The notice comes a day after the Bombay High Court issued directives asking protesters to vacate all streets in Mumbai by noon, claiming that Mumbai was “literally paralysed” due to Maratha agitation.

The Mumbai Police on Tuesday issued a notice to the protesters who have gathered in large numbers at Azad Maidan, as well as other key locations, including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) station, since August 29 this year.

The notice has asked protesters to vacate Azad Maidan today.

In the notice, the police said that about 11,000 vehicles have been brought to Mumbai since the protest began, and most of them have been parked illegally across the city.

“... despite the fact that you have been provided with detailed information regarding this, you have started your hunger strike to death at Azad Maidan, Mumbai from 29/08/2025, in which about 40,000 agitators from various parts of Maharashtra have been included," it said.

"About 11,000 small and big four-wheeled vehicles related to the said agitation have been brought to Mumbai city. Out of which, about 5000 vehicles have been brought to Azad Maidan in South Mumbai, Hon'ble High Court premises, Mantralaya premises, Colaba, Kalbadevi, etc. areas and most of them are on the main roads of South Mumbai like Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Dadabhai Naoroji Marg, Mahapalika Marg, etc. and at C.S.M.T. Junction, Metro Junction, ... have been parked illegally in the main squares since 29/08/2025.”

“All the said vehicles have been parked illegally on the above mentioned main roads and main squares without following any traffic rules and due to which the traffic in the said place has been completely disrupted. Due to this, the general public has been deprived of access to the Hon'ble Bombay High Court, Sessions Court, other courts, Cama Hospital, St. George Hospital, G.T. Hospital, Bombay Hospital, Mantralaya, Vidhan Bhavan, Maharashtra / Mumbai Police Headquarters, C.S.M.T. / Churchgate Railway Station, etc. emergency, service, essential, government, semi-government and private institutions in South Mumbai," the notice stated.

The Mumbai Police on Tuesday issued a notice to the protesters who have gathered in large numbers at Azad Maidan, as well as other key locations, including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) station, since August 29 this year.

The notice has asked protesters to vacate Azad Maidan today.

In the notice, the police said that about 11,000 vehicles have been brought to Mumbai since the protest began, and most of them have been parked illegally across the city.

“... despite the fact that you have been provided with detailed information regarding this, you have started your hunger strike to death at Azad Maidan, Mumbai from 29/08/2025, in which about 40,000 agitators from various parts of Maharashtra have been included," it said.

"About 11,000 small and big four-wheeled vehicles related to the said agitation have been brought to Mumbai city. Out of which, about 5000 vehicles have been brought to Azad Maidan in South Mumbai, Hon'ble High Court premises, Mantralaya premises, Colaba, Kalbadevi, etc. areas and most of them are on the main roads of South Mumbai like Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Dadabhai Naoroji Marg, Mahapalika Marg, etc. and at C.S.M.T. Junction, Metro Junction, ... have been parked illegally in the main squares since 29/08/2025.”

“All the said vehicles have been parked illegally on the above mentioned main roads and main squares without following any traffic rules and due to which the traffic in the said place has been completely disrupted. Due to this, the general public has been deprived of access to the Hon'ble Bombay High Court, Sessions Court, other courts, Cama Hospital, St. George Hospital, G.T. Hospital, Bombay Hospital, Mantralaya, Vidhan Bhavan, Maharashtra / Mumbai Police Headquarters, C.S.M.T. / Churchgate Railway Station, etc. emergency, service, essential, government, semi-government and private institutions in South Mumbai," the notice stated.

Maratha quota protesters were seen preparing for the day early on Tuesday outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) station.

They were distributing free breakfast and water to the protesters.

(Express Photos and Videos by Vallabh Ozarkar)

Heavy security was deployed and traffic was diverted outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) railway station, as one side of the road remained open for vehicles during the Maratha activists’ agitation early Tuesday.

(Express Photos by Akash Patil)

Citing violation of the interim order that laid out conditions for protesters while granting them permission for the agitation, the Azad Maidan senior inspector Tuesday rejected their further application to continue the protest and ordered them to vacate Azad Maidan premises.

The notice comes after the Bombay High Court Monday issued directives asking protesters to vacate all streets in Mumbai by noon, claiming that Mumbai was “literally paralysed” due to Maratha agitation.

Activist Manoj Jarange Patil, whose hunger strike entered its fifth day today, has asked his supporters to follow the court directives and not inconvenience people by roaming on streets.

Visuals of the protests on Monday:

Supporters of Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil, sleep inside CSMT station at night as Jarange's hunger strike on its fourth day. (Express Photo/Sankhadeep Banerjee)

Vehicles stuck in a traffic jam at Eastern Freeway in Mumbai amid Maratha quota agitation. (Express Photo/Sankhadeep Banerjee)

A weakened Manoj Jarange-Patil rests during the Maratha Kranti Morcha gathering at Azad Maidan. (Express Photos/Akash Patil)

Large quantities of bread—running into lakhs—have been sent from villages across Maharashtra to the Vashi Exhibition Center for the Maratha reservation protesters. (Express Photo/Narandra Waskar)

Supporters of Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil gather outside CSMT station as Jarange's hunger strike enters its fourth day. (Express Photo/Sankhadeep Banerjee)

Maratha quota leader Manoj Jarange on Monday asked protesters to follow the directives of the Bombay High Court and not inconvenience the people of Mumbai by roaming on the streets.

He also appealed to the protesters to park their vehicles only in the designated parking areas, hours after the High Court frowned on the conduct of protesters.

"Follow the high court's orders. Don't trouble Mumbaikars. Don't roam on streets, park vehicles in designated areas. Those who don't want to listen to me can return to their villages," Jarange said while addressing a gathering at Azad Maidan, the ground zero of his hunger strike, on Monday night.

"We are firm on our stand. I don't give importance to Chhagan Bhujbal," he added.

Maharashtra Minister and senior OBC leader Bhujbal said earlier that Marathas should not be accommodated in the quota for the Other Backward Classes, citing that only 17 per cent reservation is available for 374 communities in the state. Bhujbal also warned that lakhs from the OBC community will stage protests if the reservation meant for them is slashed. (PTI)

Visuals of the protests on Monday:

Maratha quota protesters playing various games at Bombay gymkhana maidan. (Express Photos/Sankhadeep Banerjee)

Reservation protesters on Marine Drive (Express Photos/Sameer Patel)

Roads towards Mantralaya closed as security reasons during the Maratha quota rally. (Express Photos/Ganesh Shirsekar)

Maharashtra Minister and senior OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Monday said Marathas should not be accommodated in the quota for the Other Backward Classes, citing that only 17 per cent reservation is available for 374 communities in the state.

Talking to reporters after a meeting of OBC leaders, Bhujbal warned that lakhs from the OBC community will stage protests if the reservation meant for them is slashed. (PTI)

OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal addresses a press conference in Bandra, Mumbai. (Express Photos/Akash Patil)

A metal structure has been erected in order to build a bigger tent to shelter the protesters, at the site of Manoj Jarange Patil's hunger strike at Azad maidan in Mumbai.

The court said on Monday that the Manoj Jarange-led protest for Maratha quota is not peaceful and has violated all conditions, issuing an ultimatum to him and his supporters to rectify the situation and vacate all areas in the city except for Azad Maidan by Tuesday.

(Express Photos/Sankhadeep Banerjee)

NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule accused the state government of ignoring Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil. As per news agency PTI, she criticised the authorities, stating, "The government knew Jarange was coming to Mumbai and it should have taken steps to avoid the stand-off, but it failed to handle the agitation."

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said the administration will implement the Bombay High Court's directives on Manoj Jarange Patil-led Maratha quota protest. He added that he can't ascertain whether law and order has collapsed.

He also stated that legal options on the demands of protesters were discussed in a meeting chaired by him this morning with his deputies Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Advocate General Birendra Saraf, and the cabinet sub-committee on the issue led by BJP minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil.

The court said on Monday that the Manoj Jarange-led protest for Maratha quota is not peaceful and has violated all conditions, issuing an ultimatum to him and his supporters to rectify the situation and vacate all areas in Mumbai except for Azad Maidan by Tuesday.

Visuals from Azad maidan in Mumbai where teams of doctors are seen treating Maratha quota protesters. (Express Photo/Sankhadeep Banerjee)

The Bombay High Court said on Monday that the Manoj Jarange-led protest for Maratha quota is not peaceful and has violated all conditions. It said the agitation brought the entire city brought to a standstill and that vital places in south Mumbai are surrounded by protesters, while urging normalcy to be restored.

The High Court also asked the Maharashtra government on how it plans to tackle situation, while directing it take steps to ensure law is followed.

The court gave Jarange and his supporters a chance to rectify the situation and ensure all areas in Mumbai are vacated except for Azad Maidan by Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, Jarange issued a warning to the state government that “over 5 crore people will come to Mumbai if CM Devendra Fadnavis doesn’t listen to demand of Marathas,” while asking protesters to ensure the common man in Mumbai does not face inconvenience due to them.

A fight took place between some Maratha agitators and other passengers in a BEST bus on Sunday around 7.30 pm at Juhu bus depot. The bus windows were also smashed.

Traffic jam in the wake of the Maratha Morcha at Vashi Toll Plaza on Monday. (Express Photo/Narendra Vaskar)

Visuals from inside CSMT station in Mumbai where Maratha protestors are seen playing Kabaddi. (Express Photo/Sankhadeep Banerjee

Railway Police Commissioner R Kalasagar at CSMT Railway Station said the police has cleared pathways for agitators and made seating arrangements for them, while requesting them to cooperate with the police and ensure that regular commuters face no difficulties.

"Owing to it being a working day, police deployments have been made to ensure the that regular commuters face no issues. We have freed pathways for agitators and made seating arrangements for them as well," he said.

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil issued a warning to the state government that "over 5 crore people will come to Mumbai if CM Devendra Fadnavis doesn't listen to the demands of the Marathas."

Earlier, Patil declared he would intensify the agitation, and give up water from today. 

Visuals from the meeting on the Maratha reservation issue held at Varsha by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis along with Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Advocate General Birendra Saraf, the cabinet sub-committee led by BJP minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil. The agenda of the meeting was to determine whether Kunbi status to the Marathas from Hyderabad and Satara gazettes withstand legal validity. (Credit: X/@CMOMaharashtra)

All trains on the Central and Harbour Line are running late by 20-25 minutes, owing to protests by Maratha activists over reservation issue.

Early on Monday, the trains were facing delays by 10 minutes. None of the trains have been cancelled.

Commuters in Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) Monday faced delays and inconvenience as a crowd of Maratha quota protesters from Azad Maidan spilled over to the city’s busiest railway station amid heavy security deployment.

Although local trains operated with a 15- to 20-minute delay, the real trouble was seen at CSMT, where people faced difficulty alighting from packed trains as well as leaving the station, as protesters took shelter on its platforms, a Central Railway spokesperson said.

Many private offices offered their employees the option to work from home.

Here's more on traffic disruptions around CSMT in Mumbai today!

A huge stock of food and water is being distributed among the protesters at the site of Manoj Jarange Patil's hunger strike in Mumbai.

(Express Photos by Sankhadeep Banerjee)

Metal bars are being laid at the site of Manoj Jarange Patil's hunger strike to build a larger pandal-like structure.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Monday chaired a meeting with officials on the Maratha reservation issue.

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The Bombay High Court will hear the petition by an NGO challenging permission granted to Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil to stage a protest at Azad Maidan in Mumbai.

The court will hear the plea after 1:30 pm.

On August 26, the HC had said that Jarange-Patil and his associates shall not stage any protest at Azad Maidan till they seek and obtain permission under the Public Meetings, Agitations and Processions Rules, 2025.

The Maharashtra government is likely to present its final proposal on Maratha reservation to Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil on Monday evening.

A blanket issuance of kunbi status to Marathas is being ruled out currently. Cabinet sub-committee led by Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil along with Advocate General Birendra Saraf, Retd Justice Sandeep Shinde are holding a meeting right now finalizing the draft.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) minister Chhagan Bhujbal convened an OBC meeting on Monday.

The OBC organisations will take a decision to launch agitation at Antarwali Sarathi, the native village of Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil.

In Nagpur, National OBC Federation has already started chain agitation, in the last 48 hours.

JJ bridge has been closed for heavy vehicles, including buses, for up-and-down traffic by the Mumbai Traffic Police, as of 9:35 am.

A meeting will be held in Varsha, the official residence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and two DyCMs Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde along with Justice Shinde committee and Sub Committee head Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil.

NCP SP MP Supriya Sule demands that government should immediately call for all party meeting and hold dialogue with Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil and resolve the issue as early as possible

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Monday announced he would give up water as his hunger strike entered the fourth day, intensifying pressure on the state government.

A cabinet sub-committee is expected to meet later in the day to review his demands.

Senior minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil urged demonstrators to restrict their agitation to Azad Maidan, cautioning that roaming across the city could “defame the Maratha community.”

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) is witnessing massive crowds at the moment.

The route from Metro Junction to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) through the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters adjacent to the gate of Azad Maidan has been shut.

Cars moving through JJ Flyover towards South Mumbai have been diverted close to the Police Commissioner's office to either Metro Junction or Churchgate station.

Fashion Street to CSMT Hazari Mal Somani Road was closed, which runs parallel to Azad Maidan.

The path from Hutatma Chowk in the direction of CSMT was also diverted.

Madam Cama Road in front of Mantralaya towards Marine Drive Junction was closed due to security concerns.

Massive traffic can be seen on the Vashi bridge as Mumbai police checks vehicles entering Mumbai.

The Eastern Freeway which was out of bounds for the past few days is now open to motorists.

The Mumbai Press Club Monday deplored the "repeated incidents of harassment, misconduct, and indecent treatment faced by women journalists and other media professionals while covering Manoj Jarange Patil’s ongoing protest in Mumbai," according to a statement.

The Mumbai Press Club also called upon Patil to take "immediate and strict corrective action against those response for such misconduct."

"We Thank Mr. Jarange Patil for taking cognizance of this issue but urge Mr. Jarange Patil and his leadership team to ensure discipline, accountability, and above all, the safety and dignity of all journalists covering the movement," it added.

Owing to the Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil’s indefinite hunger strike on the fourth consecutive day on Monday, some bus services were suspended outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) station, while others remained severely disrupted.

Here's the list of bus services that have been disrupted:

The supporters of Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil gathered outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) station as Jarange's hunger strike entered its fourth day on Monday, in Mumbai.

(Express Photos by Sankhadeep Banerjee)

The Central Railway Spokesperson Monday advised all commuters and office-goers to keep a buffer time in hand and work from home if possible, owing to delays due to the Maratha quota agitation across the state.

"We request all the office goers and commuters to plan their commute keeping in mind a buffer time as there might be slight delays due to the ongoing agitation. We also request the ones who can stay at home and work to do so, to minimise disruptions," the Spokesperson stated.

Owing to the Maratha quota protests, the Mumbai traffic police has issued advisory asking commuters to follow directions while heading to South Mumbai on Monday.

“Expect slow traffic and occasional disruption tomorrow morning while commuting towards south Mumbai due to ongoing agitation. Keep following directions given at traffic junctions to minimise inconvenience,” the traffic police stated over a post on X.

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil’s indefinite hunger strike entered its fourth day on Monday, after the Maharashtra Cabinet sub-committee which is empowered to tackle the Maratha reservation agitation sought more time to relook the matter a day earlier.

Following a series of meetings, no headway was made, leading Patil to declare he would intensify the agitation from Monday.

He has also urged his supporters to show up in large numbers in Mumbai.

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