With the Manoj Jarange-led quota agitation escalating into its third day and no early resolution in sight, hundreds of members of the Maratha community have been exploring prominent locations in Mumbai, including Marine Drive, the Gateway of India, and the Girgaon sea beach.
On Sunday, the number of protesters in South Mumbai was lower compared to the overwhelming presence on Friday, when thousands arrived from across Maharashtra. Their arrival had brought traffic to a standstill and led to the occupation of platforms at the CSMT station. Jarange, who has been on a hunger strike since Friday, has vowed to stop taking water from Monday if the government does not accept his demand for an OBC quota for Marathas.
After participating in the protests at Azad Maidan, which has become the new epicentre of the agitation, hundreds of protesters visited local landmarks such as Marine Drive and the Gateway of India. Several individuals were seen jumping onto the Marine Drive promenade to get closer to the sea, but were dispersed by police. Others simply took in the view and captured it on their mobile phones.
Police personnel made frequent announcements, highlighting safety concerns and asking the groups not to venture into the sea. Several groups, wearing saffron scarves and chanting "Ek Maratha, Lakh Maratha," visited the Gateway of India and the Girgaon seafront. A group of young protesters was also seen dancing at CSMT in the afternoon.
Thousands of Maratha community members had camped in the areas near Azad Maidan a day before. Some cooked meals in their parked vehicles, while others bathed in the open. Many young people danced on the road to the beats of a 'halgi,' a traditional drum. As the rain subsided, many more people took to the roads outside the iconic Victorian edifices of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), causing traffic to grind to a halt on Saturday morning.
The road outside Azad Maidan has been closed to traffic, with the vehicles of Jarange's supporters parked along both sides. The protesters have been chanting slogans, asserting that they will not leave until the community is granted reservation in the OBC category for government jobs and education.
According to police, approximately 45,000 protesters had travelled to South Mumbai on Friday, with around 30,000 staying overnight. Police estimates suggest that the protesters have arrived from across Maharashtra — a significant number from the eight districts of Marathwada — in around 8,000 vehicles.
Also read: Maratha quota talks collapse, Jarange to continue hunger strike
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