Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange hardened his stand on Monday, September 1, by giving up water on day four of the stir. Meanwhile, the Bombay High
Court, earlier today, observed that Mumbai has been brought to a standstill due to the ongoing Maratha quota agitation, saying that the protest has not been peaceful. Jarange and his supporters have been demanding a 10 per cent quota for Marathas and want them to be recognised as Kunbis. The recognition of the Marathas as Kunbis, an agrarian case included in the OBC category, will make them eligible for reservation in government jobs and education.
Jarange Gives Up Water
Manoj Jarange, who has been on hunger strike since Friday (August 29), stopped drinking water today, his supporters said. They said that he will not budge till the Maharashtra government fulfils his demand for a 10 per cent quota for Marathas.
Jarange had on Sunday warned of intensifying his protest by giving up water if the Maharashtra government fails to act on his demand for reservation. "From tomorrow, I will stop taking water as the government is not accepting the demands. But I am not going back till the quota demand is met. We will get Marathas reservation under the OBC category no matter what," Jarange said on Sunday.
Earlier in the day, doctors examined the health of Jarange. A team of doctors from the state-run JJ Hospital went to Azad Maidan and checked Jarange's blood pressure and sugar levels.
Stir Not Peaceful, Mumbai Brought To Standstill: HC
The Bombay High Court on Monday noted the city has been brought to a standstill due to the ongoing Maratha quota agitation, and the situation is grim. The court observed that the protest has not been peaceful and has violated all pre-stir conditions.
A bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad, in a special hearing, said the protesters have not remained at Azad Maidan -- the designated place for the agitation -- and blocked several vital areas in south Mumbai. The court urged 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.
The protesters have gathered at vital places such as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Churchgate railway stations, Marine Drive promenade and even the high court building, the court 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 said.The government shall also ensure that no more protesters, as claimed by Jarange, shall enter the city henceforth, it maintained.
The bench said it, too, was worried about Jarange and said while every citizen has the right to protest, it has to be done in a peaceful manner and within permissible limits.
Jarange, on Monday, asked his supporters to ensure that the common man in Mumbai does not face any inconvenience due to them.
