News Desk – The Maratha quota protest at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan entered its fourth day on Monday, prompting the Mumbai Traffic Police to issue an advisory warning motorists of road closures and slow movement near Azad Maidan and CSMT Junction.
The police urged commuters to take alternate routes, saying that traffic in Fort, Marine Lines, and Crawford Market areas is likely to be affected. Extra police forces have been deployed in South Mumbai, especially around sensitive points like Mantralaya and CSMT, to maintain law and order.
The agitation, led by activist Manoj Jarange, demands that Marathas be classified as Kunbis for OBC reservation benefits. Following failed talks with the state government, Jarange began a hunger strike, vowing to also give up water from Monday until the demands are met. He said the “constitutionally valid” demand will not be dropped under pressure.
Jarange’s protest has drawn sharp reactions from the existing OBC community and criticism over inadequate arrangements for demonstrators at Azad Maidan.
