On Monday, 1 September, the Bombay High Court expressed strong anger against the ongoing Maratha reservation protests that had spread across Mumbai. The judges said the agitators had blocked important roads, paralysed daily life, and even obstructed access to the court itself. According to the court, the demonstrators were not following the rules and had moved away from the officially designated protest site.

The bench, made up of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad, gave clear directions that the protesters must vacate the streets by Tuesday, 2 September, forenoon. The judges made it clear that the right to protest does not mean creating chaos in the city or interfering with the functioning of the judiciary.

The bench came down heavily on those who had gathered right in front of the High Court building. The judges remarked:

“They are right outside the High Court. They are blocking entry to lawyers and judges. You boasted yesterday that more people will come. How do we deal with a person who is refusing to obey the law?”

This sharp observation showed how the court viewed the situation as a direct challenge to law and order.

Judge Forced to Walk as Court Surrounded by Protesters

The disruption caused by the protests was so severe that even a sitting judge was affected. Justice Ravindra Ghuge, while trying to reach the court around 12:30 pm on Monday, found that his official car could not pass through because the protesters had blocked the road near the City Civil Court and the High Court building.

The bench narrated the incident in its order:

“In fact, today, when one of us (Ravindra Ghuge) was travelling to the Court around 12.30 pm in the official car, there was a huge blockade in front of the City Civil Court and the High Court building.”

Because of this, Justice Ghuge had no choice but to walk to the court. He was joined on foot by government counsel Purnima Kantharia, who also could not get past the blockade.

The court strongly criticised the protestors, stating that the High Court was virtually under siege. The judges said the situation had gone beyond a peaceful protest. Inside the courtroom, even though the doors were closed, the slogans of the agitators were so loud that everyone inside, including lawyers and litigants, could hear them.

Newspaper photographs and videos showed the extent of the protests. Demonstrators had occupied several major areas across Mumbai. Apart from Azad Maidan, which is the designated protest site, protesters were seen at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Flora Fountain (just in front of the High Court), Marine Drive, P’Demello Road, Mantralaya, and the area around Oval Maidan.

The court also noted that the protesters were not just sitting in demonstration but had started cooking, dancing, bathing, and even playing kabaddi on the roads, turning public spaces into an open arena.

Protesters’ Own Lawyers Admit City Brought to a Halt

The counsels representing the protesters did not deny the scale of disruption. In fact, they admitted before the bench that the demonstrations had paralysed the city. They agreed that protestors had gone far beyond the permitted protest area.

One of the counsels told the court that he would make an effort to speak to Manoj Jarange Patil, the leader of the Maratha quota agitation, and try to persuade him and his supporters to clear the roads. However, the lawyer also explained that not all protesters were acting under Jarange’s direct control. He said that some of them were acting independently, making it harder to manage the movement.

High Court Orders Evacuation of Streets, State Told to Block Fresh Entry

The bench concluded that the protest organisers had violated the court’s earlier orders, which had allowed protests only within specified limits. As a result, the High Court directed that all protesters, except those stationed at Azad Maidan, must vacate the streets and public spaces by Tuesday forenoon.

The court also issued strict instructions to the state government. It said the authorities must ensure that no new protesters should be allowed to enter the city until further orders. Police and other agencies were told to maintain watch at all city entry points.

The judges recalled that as early as 26 August, the High Court had already ordered protestors to strictly follow rules. At that time, the court had allowed food packets and medical facilities to be provided at Azad Maidan to those demonstrating peacefully.

The bench also spoke about the health of Manoj Jarange, who has been leading the agitation. Jarange has been on hunger strike at Azad Maidan since Friday, 29 August. His supporters claimed on Monday that he had also stopped consuming water.

The court stressed that the state must ensure Jarange receives adequate medical care if his health deteriorates.

Jarange has been demanding 10% reservation for the Maratha community in government jobs under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. The High Court’s directions came at a time when his fast had entered a critical stage, and the protests had expanded far beyond control.