3 hrs ago
Bombay High Court Declines to Stop Manoj Jarange’s Mumbai March
Manoj Jarange is protesting for reservation benefits for the Maratha community.
He is holding a hunger strike in Maharashtra.
He has said that he plans to lead supporters toward Mumbai.
Some Mumbai residents asked the court to stop the march.
The Bombay High Court refused to stop it before any problem had happened.
The judges said people have a legal right to protest in a democracy.
They also said the government can respond if anyone breaks the law.
The court told officials to help Jarange medically if necessary.
The Bombay High Court refused to stop Manoj Jarange’s proposed protest march to Mumbai.
The court said the Maharashtra government could handle any resulting law-and-order situation.
Judges said a protest could not be prohibited solely because of apprehensions about possible disruption.
The court directed the government to provide medical assistance to Jarange if needed during his hunger strike.
Jarange is seeking Maratha reservation in jobs and education and plans to announce the march date after September 12.
- Who
- Manoj Jarange, his supporters, Mumbai residents who filed the petition, the Bombay High Court, and the Maharashtra government.
- What
- The Bombay High Court declined to prohibit Jarange’s proposed protest march to Mumbai and sought responses from the government and Jarange.
- Where
- The proposed march is to Mumbai, while Jarange is on hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district.
- When
- The ruling was issued on Friday; Jarange said the march date would be announced after supporters assembled on September 12.
- Why
- Jarange is demanding reservation for the Maratha community in jobs and education; petitioners sought to prevent possible law-and-order problems.
Court and Government Position
Petitioners’ Concern
Whether the march should be stopped in advance
Court and Government Position
The court said it could not prohibit a protest based only on apprehension and that the state was capable of handling any law-and-order problem.
Petitioners’ Concern
Mumbai residents Nilesh Dahanukar and Rajesh Dalvi asked the court to intervene and stop the proposed march by Jarange and thousands of supporters.
Basis for government action
Court and Government Position
The Advocate General said the government had not received an application from Jarange seeking permission for a protest in Mumbai.
Petitioners’ Concern
The petitioners sought intervention because they feared a repeat of the disruption associated with Jarange’s hunger strike the previous year.
Key facts
- Court
- Bombay High Court
- Chief justice on bench
- M C Tripathi
- Other judge
- Justice Advait Sethna
- Protest leader
- Manoj Jarange
- Current protest site
- Antarwali Sarati village, Jalna district
- Demand
- Reservation for the Maratha community in jobs and education
- Government position in court
- The government had not received an application from Jarange seeking permission for a Mumbai protest
Quotes
Bombay High Court
The bench of Chief Justice M C Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna hearing the petition.
“If someone takes law and order in their hands then the state is capable of handling it. If someone acts contrary to the provisions of law, the state is capable enough to handle it”
NDTV
“The state government should intervene and speak with him.....At this stage we can not intervene. As and when a situation arises then we will see”
NDTV
Sources
Related news
Bombay High Court Declines Pre-Emptive Restrictions on Jarange Protest
Supreme Court Leaves CJP September 5 March To Authorities
Jarange Calls for Quiet Maratha Mobilisation Toward Mumbai
Supreme Court Declines Ban on CJP’s September 5 Delhi March
Jarange Says Mumbai March Certain as Hunger Strike Continues
Government Offers Legal Talks as Manoj Jarange Resumes Fast
Manoj Jarange Rejects Dinner Invitation Amid Maratha Quota Protest
Maharashtra Minister Urges Jarange Patil to End Maratha Hunger Strike
Minister Rejects Delegation Talks as Jarange-Patil Continues Hunger Strike
