The Bombay High Court's recent intervention in the ongoing Maratha quota protests in Mumbai has drawn support from author and social commentator Shobhaa De, who views the court's order to clear roads as "much needed". The High Court criticized the Manoj Jarange-led Maratha quota protest for disrupting the city, noting that the protest violated imposed conditions and brought the city to a standstill. The court directed the state government to take action to restore public order and enforce the Public Protest and Agitation Rules of 2025. The court also stated that the life of the common man of Mumbai needs to be restored to normalcy and that the city cannot be brought to a standstill, especially with the Ganpati festival ongoing.
De had previously voiced her concerns about the disruptions caused by the Maratha agitation and urged the Maharashtra government not to "blink" in the face of what she termed the protesters' "dadagiri". The current situation arose from activist Manoj Jarange's indefinite hunger strike at Mumbai's Azad Maidan, demanding reservation for the Maratha community. Jarange has intensified his agitation by announcing he would stop drinking water until Marathas get reservation under the OBC quota.
The Bombay High Court acknowledged the large number of participants in the protest, estimating between 35,000 and 45,000 people arriving in over 650 vehicles. This influx led to traffic diversions across South Mumbai. While intercity trains remain on schedule, officials have warned of potential delays due to road congestion.
The Maratha reservation issue has ignited a political crossfire in Maharashtra. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has stated the government is committed to finding a legal and constitutional solution to the issue. Fadnavis also accused opposition leaders of taking a "convenient stand" instead of offering concrete solutions. He said that the government is committed to addressing community concerns, but it could not act against the Constitution. Uddhav Thackeray, on the other hand, criticized the current government, stating that Marathas have been exploited politically.
