Mumbai: Several activists were detained by Mumbai police on Thursday during a protest march to the BMC headquarters over issues concerning Marathi-medium schools run by the civic body. Protesters said the march was organised after repeated representations on school closures and redevelopment failed to elicit a response.The protest, organised by the Marathi Abhyas Kendra and led by academic Dr Deepak Pawar, attempted to proceed towards the civic headquarters but was stopped at multiple points citing lack of permission. Brief verbal exchanges followed before protesters were diverted to Azad Maidan, where they staged a sit-in demanding a meeting with senior civic officials.Police detained Pawar, Anand Bhandare, Sadhana Gore, Swapnil Thorat and several others, including former Rajya Sabha MP Bhalchandra Mungekar. All were released later in the day.A memorandum submitted by the protesters was later accepted by the civic commissioner. The memorandum raised concerns over the closure and redevelopment of Marathi-medium schools, the absence of a standard operating procedure for redevelopment, uncertainty over student relocation during repairs, and the possibility of schools being shut or merged due to administrative decisions. The group sought a halt to such actions until consultations are held.“After some leaders were detained and taken to Azad Maidan, the commissioner came to meet us but refused to discuss the issue, citing the model code of conduct,” said Anand Bhandare of the Marathi Abhyas Kendra.In a clarification note issued later, the BMC said protesters had earlier been invited for discussions at the deputy commissioner level. It said that while the memorandum had been accepted, detailed discussions or decisions could not be held at present as the model code of conduct is in force for the 2025 civic elections.
