Mumbai Police have denied permission for Manoj Jarange Patil’s proposed march to the city and indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan, citing restrictions on fasting protests, the requested duration of the demonstration and the risk of major traffic disruption in south Mumbai, according to a report by Loksatta – Mumbai.
Jarange has announced that he will leave Antarwali Sarati for Mumbai on September 15 to press various demands of the Maratha community and seek implementation of assurances previously given by the government. He has said he plans to begin an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan from September 19.
The police reportedly rejected the permission application on the grounds that the proposed action would breach the 2025 Rules for Public Meetings, Protests and Processions. The rules, as cited in the police communication, prohibit an attempt to undertake an indefinite hunger strike or self-immolation during a protest under Rule 11(d).
The second objection concerns the duration and timing of permissions. Mumbai Police said permission for one protest is granted for only one day at a time, between 9 am and 6 pm. Permissions are also not granted on Saturdays, Sundays or government holidays, according to the reasons cited in the report. Jarange’s request for an indefinite hunger strike beginning on Saturday, September 19, and continuing until the demands are accepted was therefore described as a violation of the applicable rules.
The police also cited the possibility of severe traffic disruption. Jarange had reportedly said at Antarwali Sarati that the number of vehicles travelling with the march could run into lakhs. Mumbai Police referred to last year’s mobilisation, when around 5,000 vehicles were allegedly parked without authorisation on major roads in south Mumbai, resulting in a road blockade. The authority said a similar situation could disrupt the city’s public transport system this year.
The proposed gathering places the administration’s permission framework against the practical limits of central Mumbai’s roads and public spaces. Azad Maidan is a designated site for public demonstrations, but large-scale mobilisations can affect surrounding arterial roads, bus movement and access through south Mumbai. The police reasons reported so far focus on regulating the duration of the protest and preventing disruption to public movement.
The decision comes two days after the Bombay High Court reportedly ruled that Jarange could not be prevented from coming to Mumbai. Jarange has criticised the denial of permission, alleging that the government is disrespecting the judiciary. The supplied report does not provide the full text of the court order or the complete police communication.
The immediate administrative question is how the proposed march and gathering will be handled after the permission denial. Jarange is scheduled to begin the journey from Antarwali Sarati on September 15, while the proposed indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan is scheduled to start on September 19.
