MUMBAI : The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has begun cleaning and restoring Azad Maidan after the Bombay High Court came down strongly on activist Manoj Jarange’s Maratha quota agitation. The protest, which had paralyzed parts of Mumbai, was ordered to be vacated by Tuesday noon.
Court Pulls Up Protesters
The Bombay High Court noted that Jarange’s ongoing agitation had “literally paralysed” Mumbai, disrupting daily life. The court stressed that while the right to protest is fundamental, it cannot come at the cost of blocking public roads and inconveniencing lakhs of citizens.
The court provided Jarange and his supporters an “opportunity” to restore normalcy by vacating the protest site voluntarily, instead of forcing police action.
Police also issued notices to Jarange and members of his core committee, citing violations of conditions laid down for the protest.
BMC’s Immediate Action
Following the court order, the BMC moved quickly. On Monday night, civic officials carried out a “deep cleaning” operation around Azad Maidan. Roads were cleared, garbage was removed, and the area was sanitized.
In a statement, the civic body said: “Deep cleaning of roads outside Azad Maidan has been completed.” The clean-up was aimed at ensuring public safety and restoring order after days of disruption.
Jarange’s Hunger Strike Continues
Despite the court directive, Manoj Jarange’s hunger strike at Azad Maidan entered its fifth day on Tuesday. He continues to demand inclusion of the Maratha community in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category for reservation benefits.
Jarange, who has spearheaded several quota-related protests across Maharashtra, has maintained that his agitation is peaceful. However, authorities fear the prolonged stir could escalate if not resolved through dialogue.
Next Steps and Political Reactions
The Bombay High Court’s order is expected to increase pressure on the Maharashtra government to address quota demands through structured negotiations.
Political leaders from opposition parties criticized the state government for letting the situation escalate to the point of judicial intervention. Meanwhile, officials emphasized that law and order will be maintained while also respecting the democratic right to protest.
Balancing Rights and Public Order
The latest developments highlight the ongoing challenge of balancing citizens’ right to protest with the need to maintain public order in crowded urban spaces like Mumbai.
For now, Azad Maidan has been restored, but Jarange’s hunger strike ensures the Maratha quota issue will remain at the center of Maharashtra’s political debate in the coming days.