Bombay HC's Ultimatum To Manoj Jarange Over Maratha Quota Protest: 'Vacate Azad Maidan By 3Pm Or...'

(MENAFN- Live Mint) The Bombay High Court on Tuesday issued a stern ultimatum to Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange, directing him and his supporters to vacate Azad Maidan by 3 pm or face contempt, fines, and police action. The bench warned that normalcy must be restored in the city, declaring the ongoing protest“completely illegal”.

What did the Bombay High Court say?

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday came down heavily on activist Manoj Jarange and his supporters staging a hunger strike in south Mumbai, directing them to clear Azad Maidan by 3 pm. The bench, led by Acting Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Aarti Sathe, warned of contempt proceedings, exemplary costs, and police action if the protestors failed to vacate the ground.

“This is a very serious situation. We want complete normalcy restored by 3 pm, or we will step out on the streets ourselves,” the bench observed.

Why did the Bombay High Court intervene?

Manoj Jarange and thousands of protestors have been occupying Azad Maidan since 29 August, demanding a 10% quota for the Maratha community under the OBC category. The court noted that the permission granted was for 5,000 protestors, but nearly 50,000 had entered Mumbai, paralysing traffic and even surrounding the High Court premises on Monday.

“It cannot be that the High Court was under siege and a judge had to walk to court,” the bench remarked, calling the protest“completely illegal”.

What was activist Manoj Jarange's response?

Senior advocate Satish Maneshinde, representing Jarange, apologised for the disturbances caused by some protestors and assured the bench that there would be no further misbehaviour. He added that Jarange had applied for formal permission to continue the agitation but no order had been passed yet.

Jarange, on an indefinite fast, has publicly vowed not to leave Mumbai until his demands are met. Maneshinde argued that the activist had informed the government of his plans months in advance and appealed through the media for restraint once crowds began swelling.

Maharashtra Govt likely to issue individual eligible Marathas Kunbi status

The Maharashtra government is likely to issue a fresh government resolution (GR) reiterating its stated position that individual Marathas who can establish Kunbi credentials with documentary proof will be entitled to certificates to avail OBC quota, Indian Express reported.

Given the legal complexities, the government is unlikely to accept a blanket issuance of Kunbi status to all Marathas. It is unlikely to widen the scope of Kunbi status to“sage soyre” (blood relations), a demand made by Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil.

At the end of the fourth day of protests by Jarange Patil at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, the cabinet sub-committee formed by the state government failed to come out with any concrete proposal despite a marathon meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, state Advocate General Birendra Saraf and Justice (Retd) Sandeep Shinde.

Maratha Quota Protest: What happens next?

The High Court was categorical that Jarange and his followers“have no right at all” to occupy Azad Maidan without permission. The judges also criticised the Maharashtra government for lapses in crowd control and enforcement of conditions.

The matter has been posted for further hearing on Tuesday afternoon, where compliance with the directive will be reviewed. Mumbai Police, meanwhile, have served notices to Jarange and his team to vacate the ground immediately.

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