08 Aug 2017 | 02:25 PM UTC
India: Marathas to march through Mumbai August 9
Hundreds of thousands of Marathas are expected to participate in a protest march through Mumbai on August9; expect significant traffic disruptions
Event
A Maratha Kranti Morcha (silent march) is due to take place in Mumbai on Wednesday, August 9. According to Maratha leaders, the march will start at 11:00 (local time) at Byculla and end at Azad Maidan in southern Mumbai at 17:00. The protest is expected to remain peaceful and silent, without political speeches. An estimated 500,000 to 800,000 people may participate in the march. Police officials said that over 7000 officers will be deployed to provide security. A number of main roads will be closed during the march and officials have warned residents to expect significant traffic disruptions.
Context
Marathas from around Maharashtra state are expected to participate in the march. Members of the Maratha community have held 57 silent marches over the past year calling for justice after a teenage girl from Kopardi was raped in August 2016. They are also calling for the Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act to be amended, which they claim is being used against their community.
Advice
Individuals in Mumbai are advised to avoid all protests due to the possibility of escalation to violence and to allow additional time to travel on August 9.
