The Opposition, Maha Vikas Aghadi’s, (MVA) ‘Halla Bol’ protest march against the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government started in Mumbai today, on 17 December. The city is also likely to witness counter-protests christened ‘Maafi Mango’ by the ruling party ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The police have already announced a ton of diversions and road closures to avoid getting stuck in traffic. To maintain traffic and rein in protesters, about 2,500 police personnel will be on the streets to ensure that no untoward incident takes place, officials said.
The foot march, which began from Richardson and Cruddas in Byculla, and will conclude at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in south Mumbai.
The protest has been organised to target the Eknath Shinde-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state on issues including the “insult" of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and social reformers Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and others through their remarks; the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute and projects from the state being shifted elsewhere.