22 April,2026 05:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Girish Mahajan. Pic/X
Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan on Wednesday acknowledged that commuters were inconvenienced due to traffic congestion during a large protest march in Mumbai, while also criticising the language used by a woman who confronted him at the site, reported PTI.
The incident took place in the Worli area during a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-backed rally that drew a significant turnout, primarily of women. The demonstration was organised to protest the defeat of a Constitution amendment bill in the Lok Sabha, which sought to fast-track the implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women in legislative bodies.
Speaking to reporters, Mahajan admitted that the march led to traffic snarls, given the scale of participation. He said that an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 women took part in the rally, making congestion in the area unavoidable despite prior permissions and route planning.
"It is true that there was traffic congestion as thousands of women participated in the march," Mahajan said, adding that such large gatherings inevitably affect vehicular movement, reported PTI.
The rally was conducted along a pre-approved route, but peak-hour movement in one of Mumbai's busiest zones led to frustration among commuters.
The situation escalated when a woman, visibly upset by the traffic disruption, confronted the minister while he was addressing the media. She questioned the decision to hold the protest on public roads instead of an open ground and expressed anger over the inconvenience caused.
Eyewitnesses said the woman shouted at Mahajan, asking him to leave the area and accusing the organisers of creating unnecessary chaos. According to the minister, she was unwilling to listen even after being told that the road would be cleared within 10 to 15 minutes, reported PTI.
Mahajan also alleged that in her anger, the woman used inappropriate language and even threw a bottle during the confrontation.
Despite the heated exchange, Mahajan said he instructed police officials not to take any harsh action against the woman. He added that he personally apologised to her at the spot for the inconvenience caused and tried to pacify party workers who were upset over the incident.
"I understand she was in a hurry to pick up her child, and her anger is justified to some extent. But the way she reacted, using such language and throwing a bottle, was wrong. However, I do not think any legal action should be taken against her," he said, reported PTI.
The minister emphasised that the disruption lasted for about an hour and was linked to what he described as a significant cause concerning women's rights.
The episode, which was recorded on video, quickly went viral on social media, sparking political reactions. Opposition leaders, particularly from the Congress party, criticised the BJP, accusing it of using women-centric issues for political messaging while ignoring public inconvenience.
They also alleged that such demonstrations contribute to a "false narrative" rather than addressing genuine concerns.
Responding to criticism comparing the rally to smaller meetings held at non-peak hours, Mahajan rejected the comparison. He said organising a large-scale morcha involving thousands of participants is fundamentally different from indoor or limited gatherings, reported PTI.
"Organising a morcha with 15,000 to 20,000 women is entirely different. Such comparisons are not valid," he stated.
The incident has once again highlighted the challenges of balancing large political demonstrations with urban traffic management in a densely populated city like Mumbai, where even short disruptions can significantly impact daily life.
(With inputs from PTI)
