Mumbai is experiencing significant traffic disruptions as Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange leads a protest at Azad Maidan on August 29, 2025. The activist is demanding a 10% quota for Marathas under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, seeking to recognize all Marathas as Kunbis, an agrarian caste within the OBC category, for reservation benefits in government jobs and educational institutions.

In anticipation of the protest, the Mumbai Traffic Police issued an advisory announcing road closures across the city. Key routes including the Eastern Freeway and the Sion-Panvel highway are closed to regular vehicular traffic, with exceptions only for emergency service vehicles. Other roads closed include Panvel-Sion Road, V N Purav Road, P D'Mello Road, Wallchand Hirachand Marg, Dr Dadabhai Naoroji Road, and Hajarimal Somani Road. These restrictions are in effect from 6 am on Friday until further notice.

The traffic police have suggested alternative routes for commuters. Vehicles coming from Vashi can take a right from Southbound to Mankhurd Junction Bridge and enter Mumbai via Veer Jijabai Bhosale Road to IOC Junction and Chhedanagar Road. Vehicles from Trombay and the Freeway can use Chhedanagar Road, Amarmahal, Nehrunagar Bridge, and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Road to enter the city.

The Bombay High Court had previously stated that while peaceful protests are allowed, prior permission from authorities is necessary, especially considering the ongoing Ganesh festival and the need to maintain law and order. The court suggested alternate venues like Kharghar in Navi Mumbai to avoid disrupting city traffic. Despite these suggestions, Jarange proceeded with the protest at Azad Maidan.

Authorities are expecting a large turnout, with estimates exceeding 20,000 protesters at Azad Maidan. Over 1,500 police personnel and multiple central forces, including the CRPF, RAF, and CISF, have been deployed to manage the crowd and maintain order. Some central forces initially assigned to Ganesh festival security have been redirected to the protest site. The police have imposed 40 conditions for the protest, directing protestors to avoid disrupting traffic, refrain from using objectionable slogans and maintain public order.

The influx of protesters has already caused significant traffic congestion, particularly near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in South Mumbai. BEST buses and other vehicles have been stuck in traffic for hours. The traffic disruptions began from Byculla, where police barricaded vehicles carrying protestors onto the JJ Flyover, diverting them towards Mohammad Ali Road. Vehicles ferrying Maratha supporters were also stopped from crossing the Carnac Bridge on the previous night and directed to park at the BPT premises in Wadi Bunder, compelling protesters to walk to Azad Maidan.

Manoj Jarange began his march from his village in Jalna district on August 26, accompanied by thousands of supporters. He reached Shivneri Fort before arriving in Mumbai on Friday morning. Jarange demands that all Marathas be recognized as Kunbis, enabling them to access the OBC quota. He argues that a separate quota for Marathas would not hold up in court. Previously, his agitations have led to the issuance of over eight lakh Kunbi certificates, allowing Marathas and their families to access the OBC quota.