Protests have erupted across Mumbai over the demand for Maratha reservation. While activist Manoj Jarange gave up on water as his hunger strike at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai continued, a massive crowd
of protesters gathered at Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), creating chaos.
The protestors at CSMT lifted a man sitting on a bike as part of their agitation. They were seen dancing and raising slogans in support of the quota demand, leading to overcrowding at the railway station.
As the protest continued in several areas, it caused traffic congestion and inconvenience to commuters. Local trains were delayed, traffic was brought to a standstill on the road heading towards Mahapalika Marg, JJ Marg and DN Road, as the protestors gathered on the roads.
Mumbai, Maharashtra: During the protest at CSMT over the demand for Maratha reservation, demonstrators lifted a man sitting on a bike as part of their agitation pic.twitter.com/YG2L7Hof1T
— IANS (@ians_india) September 1, 2025
The protest affected the office-goers who travel by trains, while some agitators also tried to stop vehicles, including BEST buses, by blocking their way on roads outside CSMT, BMC areas, and near Metro Theatre in the morning.
A BEST official said the Mumbai Traffic Police also closed the JJ Bridge for heavy vehicles from 9:30 am due to the Maratha quota agitation at Azad Maidan.
“All BEST buses on routes approaching or passing through CSMT have been diverted or temporarily suspended,” a spokesperson said.
Mumbai, Maharashtra: A massive crowd has gathered at CSMT station as protesters demand Maratha reservation pic.twitter.com/ryDZDAznVQ
— IANS (@ians_india) September 1, 2025
Bombay HC Takes Note Of Situation
The Bombay High Court on Monday said that the city has been brought to a standstill due to the ongoing Maratha quota agitation, and the situation is grim as reservation campaigner Manoj Jarange hardened his stand by giving up water on day four of the stir.
The HC observed that the protest has not been peaceful and has violated all pre-strike conditions. It appealed for normalcy to be restored in Mumbai, and gave an opportunity to Jarange, spearheading the stir, and his supporters to rectify the situation and ensure all streets are vacated by Tuesday noon.
Activist Manoj Jarange Stops Drinking Water
On Monday, Jarange, who has been staging a hunger strike at Azad Maidan since Friday (August 29), stopped drinking water.
A protest has sparked across the city demanding a 10 per cent reservation to the Maratha community in government jobs and education under the Other Backwards Classes (OBC) category.
