Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday permitted Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil to continue his protest at Azad Maidan in Mumbai until Wednesday morning. Jarange requested the extension, assuring the court that most of his supporters had already left the city or would do so by Tuesday evening. He also expressed hope that a breakthrough on the Maratha quota issue could be achieved by then, indicating possible progress in discussions with the state government.

Earlier, Mumbai Police had arrived at Azad Maidan to vacate the site in compliance with a High Court directive that protests must not disrupt normalcy.

Authorities cited violations of conditions under which permission for the protest was granted. The Maratha community has been demanding 10 per cent reservation in government jobs and educational institutions under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. Jarange has been leading the agitation, pushing for implementation of the decades-old Hyderabad Gazette that identifies Marathas as Kunbis, qualifying them for OBC benefits.

Jarange’s current hunger strike at Azad Maidan entered its fifth day, drawing thousands of supporters from across Maharashtra. While most protesters have dispersed, Jarange continues his fast, asserting that the struggle for justice will not end until the state issues a permanent solution.

The Bombay High Court’s temporary relief allows him to remain at the site until Wednesday morning, placing pressure on the state government to resolve the long-standing demand before tensions escalate further.