Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Bombay High Court To Hear Plea For Maratha Protest Venue
The Bombay High Court will hear a case about where a large Maratha protest should take place.
The protest is planned for Azad Maidan in Mumbai.
A group called Amy Foundation wants the protest stopped there or moved to Kharghar in Navi Mumbai.
The group says Mumbai is already busy because of Ganeshotsav.
It says a very large crowd could block roads and make travel difficult.
The group says police rejected two requests for permission.
Protesters, led by Manoj Jarange, are nevertheless travelling toward Mumbai.
The foundation says people may protest but should not seriously inconvenience the public.
The court will consider these arguments before deciding what should happen.
The Bombay High Court will hear a plea seeking to restrain or relocate the proposed Maratha agitation from Azad Maidan.
Amy Foundation has suggested Kharghar in Navi Mumbai as an alternative venue, citing traffic and public-inconvenience concerns during Ganeshotsav.
The foundation says police rejected two applications for permission, while protesters have mobilised and are travelling toward Mumbai.
The plea does not oppose the agitation led by Manoj Jarange or the demand for Kunbi certificates.
The court previously ruled that peaceful protests require permission and cannot indefinitely occupy public roads or disrupt normal life.
- Who
- The Bombay High Court, Amy Foundation, Maratha protesters led by Manoj Jarange, and police authorities are involved.
- What
- The court will hear a plea seeking to stop the proposed agitation at Azad Maidan or move it to another venue.
- When
- The plea was mentioned on Wednesday, and the hearing is scheduled for Thursday; Jarange is expected to reach Mumbai on Saturday.
- Where
- The proposed protest venue is Azad Maidan in Mumbai; Kharghar in Navi Mumbai has been suggested as an alternative.
- Why
- The petitioner cites the expected crowd, traffic disruption, public inconvenience during Ganeshotsav, and alleged lack of police permission.
Petitioner’s concerns
Protesters’ position
Location of agitation
Petitioner’s concerns
Amy Foundation wants the agitation restrained at Azad Maidan or shifted to Kharghar in Navi Mumbai.
Protesters’ position
The Maratha agitation is proceeding toward Mumbai, with Azad Maidan identified as the proposed venue.
Public disruption
Petitioner’s concerns
The foundation says a large crowd could restrict roads and traffic during Ganeshotsav and cause inconvenience to the public.
Protesters’ position
The protesters’ stated cause is the Maratha reservation demand, including the demand for Kunbi certificates; the articles do not provide a detailed response to the traffic concerns.
Permission to protest
Petitioner’s concerns
The foundation says police rejected two applications and argues that public roads and spaces cannot be occupied indefinitely.
Protesters’ position
The foundation itself acknowledges that protesters have a right to hold an agitation, while the court has stressed that peaceful demonstrations must obtain permission.
- Case status
- The Bombay High Court posted the plea for hearing on Thursday.
- Petitioner
- Amy Foundation
- Proposed venue
- Azad Maidan, Mumbai
- Suggested alternative
- Kharghar, Navi Mumbai
- Protest leader
- Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange
- Permission claim
- The petitioner said two applications for permission were rejected.
- Current concern
- The petitioner cited traffic and public inconvenience during Ganeshotsav.