September 1, 2025 – New Delhi, The Bombay High Court on Monday came down heavily on Maratha quota protestors, directing them to vacate the streets of Mumbai by September 2. Calling the situation “grim,” the court observed that the agitation had gone beyond its permitted limits and was causing severe disruption across the city.

The order came during a special hearing before a bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad, who noted that protestors led by activist Manoj Jarange-Patil had violated conditions set for the agitation. According to the bench, demonstrators were supposed to restrict their protests to Azad Maidan, the designated venue. Instead, they had spilled over into several parts of south Mumbai, blocking roads and even surrounding the high court premises.

The judges remarked that the agitation was no longer peaceful. “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. The entire city has been blocked,” the bench observed.

The court also expressed concern over the inconvenience caused to citizens. Videos from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) showed protestors playing drums and dancing in the premises, further adding to traffic disruptions and chaos for passengers. The judges directed Jarange-Patil and his supporters to vacate the streets and clean up the areas by Tuesday noon, warning that failure to do so could invite stricter measures.

Protest Without Permission

The High Court pointed out that the protestors did not have valid permission to continue their stir in public spaces. It added that the Maharashtra government was expected to take “appropriate steps” under the law to restore order.

The bench gave Jarange-Patil “an opportunity to rectify the situation immediately,” but made it clear that repeated violations would not be tolerated. The remarks underline the judiciary’s concern over the balance between the right to protest and the need to maintain public order.

Government’s Appeal

Amid the tension, Maharashtra water resources minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who heads the cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservation, appealed for restraint. Speaking on Monday, he urged the community to keep their agitation within the designated area at Azad Maidan.

“Nobody is denying their right to protest, but it should be at Azad Maidan, not at the railway station,” the minister said. He also cautioned that “improper methods of protest are defaming the community as a whole.”

The minister’s statement highlighted the growing concern that the agitation, which began as a peaceful movement demanding reservation for the Maratha community, was now causing significant disruptions to daily life in Mumbai.

Looking Ahead

The High Court’s directive sets a clear deadline for protestors to vacate public spaces by September 2. Whether Jarange-Patil and his supporters comply will be closely watched, as failure could lead to tougher enforcement by the state.

With Mumbai already experiencing massive traffic snarls and disruptions in public services, the coming days will be crucial for both the administration and the protestors. The agitation for Maratha quota continues to be one of the most sensitive issues in Maharashtra’s political landscape, but the court’s intervention signals a tightening stance on law and order.