Daijiworld Media Network - Pune

Pune, Sep 1: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday confirmed that the state government will comply with the Bombay High Court’s directive to clear roads occupied by protesters by 4 PM on Tuesday. The court has ordered that the pro-Maratha agitation led by Manoj Jarange-Patil should be confined strictly to Azad Maidan, with authorities preventing other protesters from entering Mumbai by stopping them at the city’s borders.

Fadnavis said the permission granted to Jarange-Patil for his fast came with specific conditions, which he acknowledged have been violated, leading to the court’s strong disapproval of the protests disrupting roads. He emphasized the government’s commitment to follow the court’s instructions.

Rejecting claims of law and order collapse due to the agitation, the CM condemned incidents of violence, particularly attacks on journalists, including women reporters, calling such acts unacceptable and damaging to Maharashtra’s culture. He recalled previous Maratha marches which were disciplined and resulted in positive government responses.

Addressing the disruption to traders on the protest’s first day, Fadnavis clarified that shop closures were voluntary, triggered by shouted slogans, and assured that police presence has since ensured shops remain open.

The government is actively exploring legal avenues to address the reservation demands from the Maratha community under the OBC quota. Fadnavis stressed the importance of finding solutions that can withstand judicial scrutiny.

Before departing for Pune, the CM, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar and other ministers, held discussions at his official residence Varsha to review the situation. Fadnavis reiterated the government’s willingness to engage in dialogue, stating it is open to solutions and not driven by ego. He expressed hope that discussions with stakeholders would soon lead to a resolution.