Mumbai: Matang Protest For Reservation Divisions Near CSMT Causes Traffic Disruptions
Mumbai, 29th September 2026: Traffic movement in parts of South Mumbai was disrupted on Tuesday after members of the Sakal Matang Samaj gathered near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to demand sub-classification of the Scheduled Caste (SC) reservation quota.
The protesters are seeking the division of the existing 13 per cent SC reservation into four categories: A, B, C and D. The demand has been pending, with members of the community calling for a government decision on the issue.
The demonstration was planned at Azad Maidan, but protesters gathered on roads around CSMT, affecting traffic movement towards South Mumbai. According to police, traffic was diverted from the CP office area, while the road near Metro Cinema was shut due to the gathering.
Mumbai Police personnel were deployed in the area to regulate traffic and manage the crowd. Police officials said repeated announcements were being made asking protesters to gather at the designated protest site. They also said there was no law-and-order situation near CSMT and the BMC office at the time.
The Sakal Matang Samaj had announced the Mumbai demonstration after holding several protests across Maharashtra over the demand for sub-classification. Community members have said they will continue the agitation until the government issues a Government Resolution on the matter.
The demand relates to the 13 per cent reservation available to Scheduled Castes in Maharashtra. The community is seeking an internal division of the quota among different groups within the SC category. The issue has also been discussed in the context of the Supreme Court’s 2024 decision allowing states to undertake sub-classification within Scheduled Castes, subject to constitutional requirements.
Former MLA Ramesh Kadam was reportedly detained by Kasturba Marg police around 7 am before he was expected to participate in the protest. Police also clarified that permission for the planned Azad Maidan demonstration had been denied.
The large gathering led to traffic restrictions and diversions in the CSMT-Metro Cinema area, affecting commuters travelling through South Mumbai during the day.
