The ongoing Maratha quota agitation in Mumbai, led by activist Manoj Jarange Patil, has severely disrupted daily life, causing traffic chaos and even affecting the functioning of the Bombay High Court. On Monday, a judge was forced to walk to the High Court due to protesters blocking the roads. The Bombay High Court has criticized the protests, stating that the city has been "literally paralysed" and that the demonstrations have violated previous court orders and permissions.

Thousands of Maratha community members have gathered in Mumbai to support Jarange Patil's demand for a 10% reservation for the Maratha community in government jobs and education under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. The protesters have occupied key areas in South Mumbai, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Azad Maidan, Mantralaya, Flora Fountain, and Marine Drive, causing significant traffic jams and inconvenience to commuters.

The Bombay High Court bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad took note of the widespread disruptions and observed that the protesters were blocking roads, dancing, playing kabaddi, cooking food, and even bathing on the main roads. Justice Ghuge himself had to walk a distance to reach the High Court due to the blockade. The court stated that the "High Court was virtually under a siege" and that slogan shouting was audible even inside the closed court hall.

The High Court has directed the protesters to vacate the streets by noon on Tuesday and has ordered the state government to ensure that no new protesters enter the city. The court also clarified that the ongoing protest has violated the conditions of the initial permission, which limited the number of protesters to 5,000 and restricted the demonstration to Azad Maidan between 9 AM and 6 PM. The Maharashtra government has stated that it will implement the High Court's orders.

Manoj Jarange Patil has been on an indefinite hunger strike since Friday, demanding that Marathas be recognized as Kunbis and granted reservation under the OBC category. On Monday, he escalated his protest by announcing that he would stop drinking water. He has urged his followers to remain peaceful and not to cause any damage to public property.

The traffic police had already cautioned motorists about potential disruptions in traffic movement towards south Mumbai. Commuters, especially those traveling by trains, have faced difficulties due to overcrowding at CSMT and surrounding stations. Some protesters allegedly tried to stop vehicles, including buses, further exacerbating the traffic situation.

The Bombay High Court has scheduled a further hearing on the matter to assess compliance with its orders. The court has emphasized the need to restore normalcy in Mumbai, especially with the Ganpati festival underway. The situation remains tense, with the state government committed to implementing the court's directives while also seeking a resolution to the Maratha quota issue.