The administration will implement the Bombay High Court directives on Manoj Jarange-led Maratha quota protest, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday.
He also Stated that the Government is deliberating on finding legal options to resolve the standoff over the Maratha quota demand.
Fadnavis’ assurance comes shortly after the HC noted that Jarange and his supporters have prima facie violated the conditions.
A bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad Stated that since the protesters do not have valid permission to continue the stir, it expects the State Government to follow the due procedure laid down in law by initiating appropriate steps.
The Government shall also ensure that no more protesters, as claimed by Jarange, shall enter the city henceforth, it said.
“The Government will implement the High Court directives,” Fadnavis told reporters in Pune and rejected the charge that law and order had collapsed.
“There have been sporadic incidents (related to Maratha demonstrations) which have been cleared by police within minutes,” he said.
The court observed that some violations had taken place regarding the permissions granted to the protest in Mumbai, he said.
“I was travelling, so I do not know exactly what the court observed. I got to know that the court has observed that some violations have taken place regarding the permissions given to the protest in Mumbai.
The court has expressed displeasure over whatever is happening on the roads of Mumbai,” he said.
On resolving the protest, Fadnavis further said that discussions can’t take place on the mic, and we should know whom to hold talks with.
He also Stated that legal options on the demands of protesters were discussed in a meeting chaired by him this morning with his deputies, Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde, on the situation arising out of the quota stir.
“We deliberated all the legal options and worked to find legal solutions, which will withstand in court,” he said.
Jarange has been on a hunger strike since August 29 at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai seeking Kunbi status for Marathas, which would allow them to avail quota benefits since the Kunbis are part of the Other Backward Classes (OBC).
Fadnavis rejected the charge that shops near Azad Maidan were asked to shut their shutters so that protesters wouldn’t get food.
“Shops were shut because of the ruckus created by agitators on the streets. Shopkeepers have been asked to open their premises and assured of police presence,” he added.