‘Much Needed…’: Shobhaa De On HC’s ‘Clear Roads’ Order For Maratha Quota Protesters

Last Updated:September 01, 2025, 17:22 IST

Shobhaa De praised Bombay High Court for ordering Mumbai roads cleared after Manoj Jarange Patil’s Maratha protest caused chaos, congestion, and disruption.

Renowned author and columnist Shobhaa De. (File)

Renowned author and columnist Shobhaa De praised the Bombay High Court’s order of clearing all the roads in Mumbai, which have been choked by Manoj Jarange Patil’s ongoing Maratha protest, saying it was much needed and important for the Mumbaikars.

While speaking to CNN-News18, the author said, “First of all, congratulations to the High Court — this was much needed and truly important."

She further slammed the protestors, who were harassing the people and disrupting the normal life of Mumbaikars in the name of protests, saying, “They shouldn’t be guided by their bosses. They are creating chaos."

“Can you bully the city like that—or any other city," De asked.

Earlier today, the columnist shared a video message on her social media platform, calling the situation “distressing."

She said that staff members struggled for hours to reach work, schools were forced to shut, buses were rerouted, and children were left terrorised after protestors surrounded their vehicles.

“They are terrorising women in cars, thumping on them and asking them to get out. They are drunk, dancing on streets, playing loud music — this is not a protest, it’s nuisance," she said, warning that Mumbai’s work ethic and daily life were being trampled.

Shobhaa De’s remarks came just after the Bombay High Court said that Manoj Jarange Patil’s protest over providing reservation to all Marathas had violated all conditions and brought the entire city of Mumbai to a standstill. It ordered authorities to clear all other roads in Mumbai by tomorrow.

The High Court ordered authorities to clear other roads occupied by protesters by 4 pm on Tuesday, stating that the agitation should be held only at Azad Maidan and not elsewhere. It also instructed authorities to stop other protesters coming to Mumbai and halt them at the borders.

The court also noted that that Jarange was granted permission for an indefinite hunger strike – rather the approval was given for just one day.

The court also observed that permission was given to only 5,000 people, but more people gathered outside Azad Maidan to join the protest. The court has sought a response from the Maharashtra government on the steps taken to address the issue, and the matter will be heard tomorrow at 3 pm.

Jarange has been staging a hunger strike at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai from Friday, demanding a 10 per cent reservation to the Maratha community in government jobs and education under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.

He stopped drinking water from Monday, his supporters claimed.

As the protest entered its fourth day on Monday, the heavy turnout caused congestion on arterial routes such as DN Road, JJ Marg and Mahapalika Marg, while commuters at CSMT railway station faced overcrowding on platforms. Office-goers reported delays as some agitators attempted to stop vehicles, including BEST buses.

Police diverted traffic heading towards CSMT, while the BEST undertaking suspended or rerouted buses. The JJ Bridge was also closed for heavy vehicles from 9.30 am. “All BEST buses on routes approaching or passing through CSMT have been diverted or temporarily suspended," a spokesperson said.

Despite heavy police deployment, protesters were seen ignoring security instructions.

With the agitation showing no signs of easing, Maharashtra minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said the state government was working towards a “solution that will stand in the court of law." Jarange, however, has reaffirmed that he will not withdraw until his demand for a 10 per cent quota under the OBC category is fulfilled.

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...

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First Published:

September 01, 2025, 17:22 IST

News mumbai-news ‘Much Needed…’: Shobhaa De On HC’s ‘Clear Roads’ Order For Maratha Quota Protesters

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