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Protesters from the Maratha community congregate at Lalbaugcha Raja during Ganeshotsav 2025, imploring for the implementation of reservations.

During the Maratha reservation protest at Azad Maidan, participants queued up on a chilly Friday evening to seek divine intervention from Lalbaugcha Raja. They implored Lord Ganesha to bestow Maratha reservation upon them. Protesters recounted their three-hour wait in the night to catch a...

Protests during Ganeshotsav 2025: Maratha demonstrators line up at Lalbaugcha Raja, imploring for...
Protests during Ganeshotsav 2025: Maratha demonstrators line up at Lalbaugcha Raja, imploring for Quota in Reservations

Protesters from the Maratha community congregate at Lalbaugcha Raja during Ganeshotsav 2025, imploring for the implementation of reservations.

Thousands of Maratha protesters, led by activist Manoj Jarange Patil, descended upon Mumbai on Friday, many arriving from across Maharashtra. Due to insufficient accommodations in the city, some protesters spent the night at railway stations.

As the day progressed, these protesters made their way to the famous Lalbaugcha Raja idol, waiting for hours to get a glimpse of the deity. Many stood in line for three hours or more before their darshan.

Despite the long wait, the protesters continued to pray for the success of Manoj Jarange's movement and the granting of reservation. Even at midnight, when the crowd was at its peak, they managed to pray at the feet of Ganesha.

After their darshan, some protesters visited their relatives and friends' homes, while others continued to stand in line for more darshans. Some even chose to spend the night at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, demonstrating their commitment to the cause.

The heavy inflow of protesters has been causing major traffic jams on routes such as Atal Setu, the Eastern Freeway, and local trains for the past two days. The traffic congestion has not only affected the protesters but has also caused difficulties for commuters.

Despite these challenges, the spirit of the Maratha protesters remains undeterred. They continue to pray for their cause and hope for a positive outcome in the near future.

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