Bombay HC Restrains Manoj Jarange Patil From Protesting at Azad Maidan Without Permit; Suggests Alternative Venue in Navi Mumbai

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday prohibited Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil from staging a demonstration at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan without official permission. The bench observed that large-scale agitations cannot be held in central city locations unless cleared by the authorities. However, the court also noted that the state government may consider providing an alternative protest site, such as Kharghar or Navi Mumbai.

Activist Issues Deadline, Threatens March on Mumbai

The High Court’s directive comes shortly after Jarange heightened his campaign for Maratha community reservation. The activist has given the Maharashtra government until August 26 to grant a 10 percent quota for Marathas under the OBC category. Failing this, he has vowed to mobilize a massive march towards Mumbai.

Speaking at a press conference in Jalna district on Monday, Jarange said this would be his final ultimatum. He stressed that once he leaves his native village, Antarwali Sarathi, he will not participate in further negotiations with government representatives.

Protest March Route Announced

Jarange has chalked out a detailed route for the protest. The march is scheduled to begin at 10 am on August 27 from Antarwali Sarathi and will pass through Mankala, Shahagad, Shahagad Chowk, Ambaltakli, Tuljapur, Waghadi, and Paithan en route to Mumbai.

Protestors are expected to halt at Shivneri on the night of August 27. On August 28, after paying tribute at Shivneri Fort, the march will resume, moving through Rajgurunagar, Chakan, Talegaon, Lonavala, Panvel, Vashi, and Chembur, before concluding at Azad Maidan by evening.

Hunger Strike Threat if Demands Are Ignored

Jarange has also warned of intensifying the agitation if the state fails to meet his demand. “From August 29, an indefinite hunger strike will begin at Azad Maidan until our demand for reservation is met,” he declared.