What’s Next in the Maratha Quota Movement as Jarange-Patil Stops Water Intake?

Mumbai, Sep 1 (NationPress) Activist Manoj Jarange-Patil, who is advocating for the Maratha quota, has entered the fourth day of his indefinite hunger strike. He declared today that he will cease water intake until the state government fulfills the demand for Maratha reservation categorized under OBC.

Today, a cabinet subcommittee chaired by Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil will convene to deliberate on Jarange-Patil's requests. A medical evaluation was carried out late last night, where his blood pressure and blood levels were assessed. With his decision to abstain from water starting today, medical personnel have noted a decline in his hydration levels, and he has been advised to maintain fluid intake.

Since early this morning, a significant number of supporters and activists advocating for the Maratha reservation have gathered at Azad Maidan, leading to severe traffic congestion on routes connecting South Mumbai from the eastern express highway and Atal Setu.

In response to the swelling crowd, the Mumbai Police issued a traffic advisory via social media, expressing regret for the disruption caused to commuters heading towards South Mumbai due to the influx of people and vehicles for the ongoing protest. They emphasized their efforts to reduce the inconvenience.

According to the police and sources from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, all thoroughfares leading to Mumbai CSMT and the municipality will be restricted. Vehicles approaching Mumbai via the JJ Flyover will be redirected through the Mumbai Police Commissionerate and onwards to Metro Junction or Churchgate Station. Moreover, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation Road close to the main entrance of Azad Maidan, which connects from Metro Junction to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), will also face closures.

Furthermore, Hazarimal Somani Road, which runs adjacent to Azad Maidan and leads to CSMT, will be shut down. Changes have also been made to the traffic pattern from Hutatma Chowk towards CSMT.

Police sources further indicated that the route from Madam Cama Road to Marine Drive Junction in front of Mantralaya is also closed for security purposes. Meanwhile, the freeway that was blocked for two days due to parked vehicles belonging to Maratha protesters will now reopen for traffic. Additional police personnel have been deployed at Azad Maidan, Marine Drive, Paydhuni, and Wadala.

Due to the ongoing demonstration, traffic is expected to be sluggish towards South Mumbai. The police have reiterated the importance of following instructions to reduce inconveniences. Currently, the road from Nariman Point to the Oval Maidan area in South Mumbai is closed.

Moreover, the route from Churchgate to Fort is also restricted. Citizens are advised to find alternative paths as protest vehicles continue to arrive from the freeway, causing congestion in the Wadi Bandar area and surrounding locations. Commuters utilizing road travel are facing delays.