The Bombay High Court has come down heavily on Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange and his supporters, directing them to immediately vacate Azad Maidan and cease their protest. The court’s ruling on Tuesday followed its observation that the agitation, which has drawn tens of thousands of people, was “completely illegal” and had “paralysed daily life” in Mumbai.
A bench of the High Court called the situation “very serious” and also criticized the Maharashtra government for its failure to effectively manage the protest, stating there was a clear “lapse” in its handling. The court emphasized that law and order cannot be compromised and instructed authorities to take urgent steps to restore normalcy in the city.
A Protest in Violation of the Law
The court noted that the protest had violated the conditions of its permit and that Jarange and his supporters no longer had a valid permission to continue. While permission was initially granted for a peaceful, one-day protest, the agitation continued for a fifth consecutive day and spilled out of the designated area. Protesters blocked key roads, disrupted traffic, and caused a state of fear among citizens, bringing South Mumbai to a standstill.
The court directed that the city’s streets be cleared of protestors by 3 pm on Tuesday, warning of further action if the order was not complied with. The decision reflects the judiciary’s firm stance that while the right to protest is fundamental, it must be exercised within legal boundaries and cannot come at the cost of public order and the rights of other citizens.