Mumbai, August 30, 2025 – India’s financial capital was thrown into chaos on Saturday as tens of thousands of Maratha quota protesters flooded into the city, crippling traffic and disrupting daily life across key business and residential districts. The agitation, led by activist Manoj Jarange-Patil, has gathered momentum with his indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan entering its second day.

The Mumbai Traffic Police issued an urgent advisory urging commuters to avoid the Eastern Freeway, a crucial link to the island city, as road closures and bottlenecks turned commutes into hours-long ordeals. By afternoon, gridlocks extended across south and central Mumbai, particularly around Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), where protesters converged in large numbers.

A City Under Siege

Police estimates suggest that between 50,000 and 60,000 protesters entered Mumbai in nearly 11,000 vehicles, choking arterial roads and leaving thousands stranded. The situation was exacerbated as BEST bus operations were disrupted, leaving office-goers and traders searching for alternatives amid the standstill.

Authorities extended protest permissions at Azad Maidan by an additional day, reflecting the scale and intensity of the agitation. With makeshift kitchens, camps, and heavy rains, the venue turned into a focal point of both civic strain and political symbolism.

Economic Fallout

The ripple effects spread far beyond traffic woes. In commercial hubs like Crawford Market, trading activity dropped sharply. Iconic establishments such as Badshah Cold Drink and Peekay Wines shut shop early, while vendors reported losses plunging from ₹1 lakh on a normal day to just around ₹2,000. “Business has completely collapsed,” one trader said, as police diversions and protest marches drained customer footfall.

Even cultural landmarks felt the heat. The BMC headquarters, Kitabkhana bookstore, and the CSMVS Museum were forced to close or cancel events. Civic services, already strained by rain and flooding, took another hit as public resources were redirected to maintain order.

Protest Demands and Tensions

Jarange-Patil, who has spearheaded the Maratha quota movement for months, reiterated his demand for a 10% reservation for the Maratha community under the OBC category without diluting existing quotas. Speaking from Azad Maidan, he warned that the government’s continued delay could provoke harsher measures, including disruptions to essential services like pipeline supplies during official events.

Around 30,000 supporters rallied at the ground, chanting slogans and pledging solidarity with Jarange’s fast. The activist’s defiance, coupled with the sheer turnout, underscored the seriousness of the standoff between the protestors and the state.

Wider Impact on Connectivity

The impact was not confined to south Mumbai. The Sion-Panvel Highway near Vashi Bridge, a critical link between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, was brought to a crawl as protesters throttled access. Long queues of vehicles stretched for kilometers, frustrating travelers and delaying freight movement.

Security agencies, including the CRPF and Railway Protection Force, were deployed to prevent flare-ups. Despite the heavy presence, the sheer scale of mobilization made containment difficult, with multiple choke points across the city grinding to a halt.

Looking Ahead

As night fell, Mumbai remained gridlocked, its lifelines clogged by an agitation that showed no signs of easing. With Jarange-Patil’s hunger strike intensifying and tens of thousands camped at Azad Maidan, the state government faces mounting pressure to negotiate a solution. For Mumbaikars, Saturday’s ordeal was a stark reminder of how swiftly the city’s heartbeat can be disrupted when politics collides with daily life.