The Bombay High Court on Monday criticised the ongoing Maratha quota protests in Mumbai led by activist Manoj Jarange Patil, ordering that all protesters vacate the city's streets by Tuesday noon.

A special bench of Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad noted that the protests had gone beyond peaceful demonstration limits, violating court orders and permissions by authorities, and the protestors cannot bring the city to a standstill, asserted the court.

The court highlighted that protestors had blocked major parts of South Mumbai, including key public roads and areas outside the High Court, and engaged in activities such as cooking on streets and playing games, disrupting daily life.

Maharashtra Advocate General Birendra Saraf informed the court that protests had severely impacted schools and colleges and breached the terms of original permission limiting protests to 5,000 people at Azad Maidan between 9 AM and 6 PM.

Despite notices being served to core protestors for violations, the protesters refused to acknowledge them.

The court directed all protesters, except those at Azad Maidan, to clear streets by Tuesday fore-noon and ordered the state to prevent new protester entry.

It permitted continued food and medical aid to protesters at Azad Maidan and mandated medical assistance to Jarange during his hunger strike. The court expressed hope that good counsel would lead protesters to obey its directions.

Case Details : Amy Foundation v State of Maharashtra