Maratha rally: Thousands head to Mumbai’s Azad Maidan

TIL Desk/National/Mumbai/ Children of farmers who committed suicide have come to Mumbai to support the silent march, reports said. Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar was allegedly manhandled by protesters at Azaad Maidan in Mumbai.

According to reports, this incident happened when the BJP leader was at the spot for lending his support for the morcha. However, the protesters stopped him from entering the venue of the morcha and told him to come only after the community gets reservation.

Until 10 am, there were more than 10,000 people at the morcha. There is also a huge deployment of police force. While protesters are pouring in from various parts of Maharashtra, there is also a huge section of them who have camped at Azaad Maidan, the last stop for all protesters.

The overall turnout may break the record set by gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli, whose rally had attracted about one lakh people, reports said. Traffic on the Western Express Highway moving slowly, but many sections of the Eastern Express Highway completely blocked.

More than five lakh Marathas are expected at Azad Maidan for the Maratha Kranti Morcha or “Muka Morcha” (silent march). They are demanding reservations for the community. The silent March will start at 11 am and end at 5 pm.