Mumbai witnessed another day of chaos on Monday as the Maratha quota protests, led by activist Manoj Jarange Patil, entered their fourth day. What began as a political agitation spiralled into disruption, harassment, and fear on the city’s streets, drawing sharp reactions from citizens and public figures alike.
Author and columnist Shobhaa De called the situation “distressing" in a video message, saying she had been monitoring the “mayhem" closely. She said 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.
On social media, outrage poured in over the behaviour of protestors. Twitter user Indrani (@Anti_Congressi) posted, “Under the guise of Manoj Jarange’s so-called Maratha reservation protest, hooliganism has taken centerstage. Journalists are being attacked, women reporters harassed. This is not a movement, this is pure anarchy." She demanded strict punishment for those responsible for the lawlessness.
Adding to the public anger, actress Sumona Chakravarti shared her own harrowing experience on Instagram. She said her car was mobbed in broad daylight while she was driving from Colaba. Protestors allegedly banged on her bonnet and windows, shouting “Jai Maharashtra" and laughing. “There was no police, no protection. I felt unsafe in my own city," she wrote, slamming the breakdown of law and order.
The repeated incidents have left Mumbaikars unsettled, with many questioning whether the movement has crossed into intimidation and street violence. With schools, shops, and businesses shut, citizens say their right to work and live safely is being threatened. As De summed it up, “This cannot be tolerated. This is Mumbai — we want our lives back."
With Maratha quota protesters led by Manoj Jarange Patil occupying Azad Maidan and other parts of south Mumbai, police have warned commuters of traffic disruptions on Monday morning.
“Azad Maidan: Expect slow traffic and occasional disruption tomorrow morning while commuting towards south Mumbai due to ongoing agitation. Keep following directions given at traffic junctions to minimise inconvenience," the Mumbai Traffic Police posted on X.
The advisory came as Jarange announced that he would intensify his protest, declaring he would stop drinking water from the fourth day of his hunger strike and was ready to “brave bullets" in pursuit of OBC quota for the Maratha community. He has demanded that the state government issue a Government Resolution (GR) recognising Marathas under the OBC category based on existing records.
On Sunday, the Maharashtra government said it would seek legal opinion on implementing the Hyderabad gazetteer to extend Kunbi status, an OBC caste category, to Marathas.
