The Maratha Kranti Morcha in South Mumbai was a disciplined march

Volunteers at the morcha ensure ambulances get right of way, no litter on the streets

Volunteers create a human chain to give an ambulance carrying a patient unrestricted passage. Pic/Bipin Kokate

Maratha Kranti Morcha, which saw the participation of more than 3 lakh people, was quiet and disciplined, barring a few incidents of political party banners being torn by some participants.

Smooth sailing
Authorities said in spite of the huge number, protesters once again led by example, with coordination being smooth, and in two instances, ambulances carrying patients being given the right of way.

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Around 10.30 am, after a large number of people gathered at the starting point near Byculla zoo, an ambulance came towards Byculla. Volunteers immediately formed a human chain and made sure it was able to pass quickly. The area around CST saw a similar situation being taken care of without a hitch.

Myriad sentiments
Malad resident Vipul Mane, a participant, said, "We would like to thank members of the community for making this march a success, and more importantly, for being disciplined. The sea of members at Azad Maidan must have been enough for the government to understand the sentiments of the people."

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The morcha saw people from remote areas of state, with people of all ages, including the elderly, marching on.

An 85-year-old, R Randave, who had come from Karmala in western Maharashtra­, said, "The community is economically and socially backward, and reservation is the need of the hour. For how long will the government take us for granted?"

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Muslims also had put up banners along the morcha route, lending support to Marathas' reservation demand. In Byculla, Muslims were seen distributing water to the participants. Volunteers made sure that all the glasses and plastic bottles were disposed of properly.

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