Bombay High Court gives a big order on Maratha quota protests

The Bombay HC ordered that by September 2, all Mumbai streets must be vacated.

On Monday, the Bombay High Court stated that the entire city of Mumbai had been brought to a standstill amid the Maratha quota protests. In a special hearing at the court, a bench of Justices RavindraGhuge and GautamAnkhad said that the protestors had prima facie violated the conditions.

The Bombay High Court slams the Maratha quota protests.

The Bombay HC said that the agitation was not peaceful and had violated all conditions, while directing Maratha quota activistManoj Jarange-Patil and his supporters to ensure that the streets are vacated by September 2, PTI reported. The HC, calling the situation “grim,” said, “We are giving Jarange and his supporters an opportunity to rectify the situation immediately and ensure the streets are vacated and cleaned up by Tuesday noon.” The bench of Justices added that the protesters had not stayed at Azad Maidan, the designated place for the agitation, but had crowded several key areas in south Mumbai.

What did the Bombay HC bench of Justices say in the matter?

The HC bench said, “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.” The HC also noted that since Jarange-Patil and his supporters didn’t have valid permission to continue the agitation, it expects the Maharashtra government to initiate appropriate steps, following due procedure laid down by law, as per PTI.

The HC bench questioned, as per PTI, “He (Jarange-Patil) has said he will go on a fast till death and will not leave Mumbai till his demands are met. He is giving a clear threat. Why is the state government not getting the roads cleared?”