The Bombay High Court took a stern stand on the Manoj Jarange-led Maratha reservation agitation underway in Mumbai on Monday, and directed them to vacate the streets of Maharashtra's capital by 4pm on September 2. The court also directed the state government to ensure that additional protesters did not join the massive agitation underway for four days.
Observing the situation was grim, the Bombay High Court said Mumbai has been brought to a standstill due to the protests seeking reservation for Marathas in government jobs and education. During a special hearing on Monday, a bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad observed that the protesters blocked several vital areas in south Mumbai.
"The situation is grim and the city of Mumbai has been practically brought to a standstill," the court observed. "The protestors have gathered at vital places such as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Churchgate railway stations, Marine Drive promenade and even the high court building," the bench observed.
The Bombay High Court said the entire city has been brought to a standstill due to the ongoing agitation. The bench noted protesters violated all conditions. The high court gave an opportunity to Jarange and his supporters to rectify the situation, and directed them to vacate all streets by Tuesday noon.
"We can see how peaceful the protest is. The high court building is surrounded. The entry gates for the judges and lawyers are blocked. The cars of high court judges were blocked today and prevented from coming to court today. The entire city has been blocked," it said.
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange has been staging a hunger strike at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai from Friday, demanding a 10 per cent reservation to the Maratha community in government jobs and education under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. Sources close to him say Jarange has also stopped drinking water from Monday.
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The bench also came down heavily on Jarange, observing his promises regarding peaceful protests were mere "lip service". Observing Jarange and his supporters have prima facie violated all the conditions for the protest, the bench said it expects the state government to follow the due procedure laid down in law by initiating appropriate steps.
"He has said he will go on a fast till death and will not leave Mumbai till his demands are met. He (Jarange) is giving a clear threat. Why is the state government not getting the roads cleared? As per the assurance given by Jarange, life in Mumbai will not come to standstill. Every assurance is violated," the bench said. "We want normalcy. Protestors are bathing, cooking and defecating on the streets," it added.
The court will continue to hear the matter on Tuesday. The bench directed the state government to ensure medical assistance to Jarange if his health condition worsens.