Mumbai Schools Go Virtual as Maratha Quota Protests Disrupt Fort Area
Mumbai: Schools and colleges near Azad Maidan in Fort have either suspended operations or shifted to online classes on Monday due to ongoing Maratha reservation protests, now in their fourth day. The demonstrations, centered at Azad Maidan, have caused significant disruptions, including traffic snarls and increased security measures across South Mumbai, according to The Times of India.
Several schools in the area informed parents that they would conduct virtual classes to prioritize student safety and ensure educational continuity. One prominent girls’ school announced via email that it would remain closed on September 1, citing the protests as the reason. Another educational institution also transitioned to online learning for the day. A major college in the area decided late Sunday to hold both junior and senior college lectures online, instructing students and faculty to stay home while following the regular schedule.
The protests, led by activist Manoj Jarange Patil, have drawn thousands to Azad Maidan, demanding reservation under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota. The agitation has severely impacted traffic, particularly around Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), with key roads like Marine Drive and P D’Mello Road experiencing significant congestion. The Maharashtra government’s cabinet subcommittee, led by BJP minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, met on Sunday but failed to resolve the issue, prompting Patil to intensify his hunger strike by refusing water.
Authorities have called for calm, urging protesters to confine their activities to Azad Maidan to reduce public disruption. The Times of India reported that security has been strengthened with Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel deployed to maintain order, especially near CSMT, where train services continue despite the crowds. The protests show no signs of subsiding, continuing to affect daily life in Mumbai’s busy Fort area.