Vehicles stuck in a traffic jam during a protest by Maratha community members outside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai on September 1, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The Maharashtra government has said it will crack the whip on “anti-social elements” after roads were blocked and journalists covering the protest allegedly harassed during the Maratha quota protest. State Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said that the acts had tarnished the image of Maratha protests.
Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis chaired a meeting of the Cabinet sub-committee looking into the issue of Maratha reservation, where both the Deputy Chief Ministers were present.
“We have taken into consideration all the legal options. We will see how these options will be legally tenable in the court of law. The attack on journalists and the assault on women journalists are serious and mar the Maratha quota agitation. There have been 30 protests so far, but never once did we such any untoward incident. Such an act is condemnable and tarnishes the image of Maharashtra,” he said.
Hitting out at NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule over her demand to resolve the issue, he said, “When they were in power, they did not take any decisions. They should stop politicising the issue.”
When asked about the protestors forcibly halting traffic, he said, “We can’t say that law and order has collapsed. Within half an hour, police cleared the roads. If such acts are justified, then one has to see where Maharashtra is going. We speak of the ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Such acts are deplorable.”
NCW chief takes cognisance of assault on journalists
Meanwhile, Vijaya Rahatkar, the chairperson of the National Commission for Women, took cognisance of the harassment and assault on journalists covering the protest. “Everyone has the right to protest, but they have to be careful that they don’t cause problems or mental stress to others. Manoj Jarange Patil has advised his protestors to be careful. The protestors should pay heed to his advice and should give adequate respect to women journalists and others,” she posted on X.
Published – September 01, 2025 10:58 pm IST
