Mumbai: Maratha protest deadlock threatens weekend travel, citizens brace delays

As the deadlock between the government and Maratha protesters continues Mumbai citizens are likely to face more trouble over the weekend and the inconvenience may extend into next week for the officegoing population and even those wishing to step out to visit prominent Ganpati mandals in South and Central MumbaiOn Day 1 of his indefinite hunger strike Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange claimed that he would continue his protest from Azad Maidan until his demands are met The Mumbai police initially granted permission for a oneday protest till 6 pm on August 29 and later allowed the stir to be extended by a dayAddressing the crowd from Azad Maidan Jarange said ldquoI had no choice but to bring our protest to Mumbai as the government kept on ignoring our demand for reservationrdquoManoj Jarange Maratha quota activist on Day 1 of his indefinite hunger strike at Azad MaidanHe asked how one could wind up a protest in a single day and that too within the prescribed time limits ldquoThe government and administration should consider my request and allow me to continue to protest uninterrupted at the same site Azad Maidanrdquo Jarange stated asking his supporters to ensure no inconvenience is caused to any Mumbai citizens He even asked those participating in the protest to follow all instructions including those issued by the policeIf no solution is found in the next few days the agitation may stretch into next week causing traffic jams and other problems for Mumbai citizens especially with five and sevenday Ganpati immersions to happen in the coming weekSupporters of Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus on FridayPermission grantedThe Azad Maidan police on Friday allowed 5000 protesters to continue their agitation at Azad Maidan for one more day from 9 am to 6 pm According to the traffic police the JJ flyover will be kept open only for Maratha protestersCM weighs inSpeaking to the media in Mumbai Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis admitted that there were some traffic disruptions on Friday but they were immediately addressed with the help of the police and cooperation from Maratha protestorsFadnavis said ldquoEveryone has the right to protest in a democratic manner The government is cooperating with the Maratha protesters The latter are also cooperating with the police and government In fact Jarange has been asking all his followers to adhere to instructions given by the administration and policerdquoAsked whether Jarange will be allowed to continue the protest the CM said he had heard that protesters had made a fresh application for permission to extend the protestStating that the ball is now in the court of administration Fadnavis mentioned ldquoEverything is happening as per the courtrsquos orders Now it is not between the government and protesters It is between the administration and protesters The administration will do whatever is required as per the instructions of the court and the framework of lawrdquoClaiming that the first meeting of the cabinet subcommittee formed for Maratha reservation had met and was studying the demands the CM said ldquoWhile giving anything to the community one needs to study and fit the demands in the framework of the law and constitution Before taking any call we will have to wait for the findings of the Shinde committee report as well One cannot expect to get everything at one stroke There is a process that needs to be followed I am sure that those protesting also understand these issues very wellrdquoAsked about a ruling party MLA extending their support to Jarangersquos demands Fadnavis claimed that even the government thinks about the welfare of the Maratha community and stated that no other party in the Opposition has given the community as much as what it had received during his and the Mahayutirsquos tenuresHe further explained that the ten per cent reservation given in jobs and education is still on and many recruitments have been carried out under this quotaMeanwhile Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that the government was doing its best for the communityrsquos benefit ldquoWe cannot take away from one community and give it to others The government will take all measures to meet the demands of the Maratha community but staying within the rule bookrdquo5000No of people allowed to protest at Azad MaidanlsquoSome leaders are trying to gain mileagersquoThe chief minister slammed the Opposition for ldquopoliticisingrdquo the reservation issue and has dared the Maha Vikas Aghadi comprising the Shiv Sena UBT Sharad Pawarled NCP and Congress to speak openly about their views on reservation ldquoI am realising that some Opposition leaders are trying to gain political mileage from the reservation issue But for us this is not a political but a social issuerdquo Fadnavis addedTaking another dig at the Opposition the CM claimed that some people were trying to disturb social harmony and communal peace by creating a rift between two communities OBCs and Marathas ldquoAdding fuel to such issues will only backfire and burn those fanning the flamesrdquo the chief minister stated