Bombay High Court, in an urgent hearing, directed that Mumbai streets blocked by Maratha quota protesters must be fully vacated by Tuesday noon, ensuring restoration of public order amid disruptions.
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MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court today directed that all streets in Mumbai currently blocked by Maratha quota protesters must be vacated by Tuesday noon, stressing that large-scale obstruction of public roads cannot be allowed to continue. The ruling comes amidst escalating disruptions across the city, with life in South Mumbai nearly paralyzed by the ongoing agitation.
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A special bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad convened an urgent hearing, noting that the protest at Azad Maidan, led by activist Manoj Jarange Patil, had gone far beyond the permissible limits of peaceful demonstration. The court emphasized that essential civic functioning had been severely affected and that immediate steps were necessary to restore normalcy.
Court’s Observations
The bench described the city’s condition as “grim,” pointing out that major locations such as Marine Drive, CSMT, and even the High Court premises were blocked. It further noted that its earlier order dated August 26, 2025, appeared to have been ignored, with agitators continuing their sit-in despite breaching the terms of their initial permission to demonstrate. As a result, the court held that protesters no longer had any valid authorization to occupy public roads.
Strict Directive to State Authorities
The High Court instructed the state government to act under the Public Meeting and Agitation Rules, 2025, ensuring that Mumbai’s daily life is restored at the earliest, especially in light of the ongoing Ganpati festival. The bench, however, gave protesters until Tuesday noon to clear the roads voluntarily, cautioning that failure to comply would empower the state to take strict measures.
The Maratha quota agitation, which entered its fourth consecutive day today, has seen a massive turnout with an estimated 35,000 to 45,000 supporters gathered at Azad Maidan. The sheer scale has resulted in severe traffic congestion, affecting bus services and crippling commuter movement around South Mumbai transit hubs, particularly CSMT and Churchgate.
Adding to the intensity of the agitation, activist Manoj Jarange Patil announced that he would stop drinking water as part of the protest, raising concerns not only about public inconvenience but also about his personal health and safety.
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