26 January,2024 02:21 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Supporters of Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange outside CSMT railway station near Azad Maidan. Pic/Sameer Markande
Hundreds of Maratha quota protesters on Friday demonstrated near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) railway station near Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, blocking traffic, reported the PTI.
According to the PTI, the protesters, who were going to Azad Maidan and they sat at the intersection near CSMT and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters, an official said.
The presence of the agitators on the road affected traffic for some time, he said.
The Mumbai Police rushed to the spot and asked the agitators to go to Azad Maidan, said the official, as per the PTI.
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From noon onwards, authorities have closed the Mahapalika Marg and D N Road and diverted the buses that run on these roads to reach Hutatma Chowk and Metro Cinema.
Thousands of protesters led by Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange have reached Navi Mumbai and the government is trying to persuade them not to enter Mumbai.
Meanwhile, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Friday said that there was 'no going back' on Maratha quota protest till all demands are met, reported the PTI.
According to the PTI, Manoj Jarange asserted that he won't abandon his agitation midway till the community is granted reservation in government jobs and education, while Maharashtra minister Deepak Kesarkar said the activist's demands have been accepted.
Jarange was addressing protesters at Shivaji Chowk in the Vashi area of neighbouring Navi Mumbai after a meeting with a government delegation.
Maratha quota LIVE Updates: Manoj Jarange addresses his supporters as he heads for Mumbai
The Maratha quota activist said the delegation has given him some documents which he will discuss with his supporters to announce their future course of action.
"There is no going back on the agitation till we get reservation," he asserted, as per the PTI.
The government is trying to persuade Manoj Jarange not to proceed to Mumbai.
State education minister Deepak Kesarkar told reporters that Manoj Jarange's demands have been accepted and they will be fulfilled as per government procedure.
So far, 37 lakh Kunbi certificates have been given and the number will go up to 50 lakh, he said, the news agency reported on Friday.
Earlier, the Maratha quota leader reached Navi Mumbai with thousands of supporters to push for reservation for the Maratha community.
Manoj Jarange and other Maratha activists reached the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) on the outskirts of Mumbai around 5 am by bikes, cars, jeeps, tempos and trucks.
(with PTI inputs)
