MUMBAI: Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan on Wednesday acknowledged that commuters faced disruption during a BJP-backed march in Mumbai’s Worli, but said a woman who confronted him over the traffic jam used inappropriate language.He said he apologized to the woman at the spot and also instructed police not to take any strict action against her.The incident occurred on Tuesday during a rally organized to target the opposition over the defeat of a constitution amendment bill in the Lok Sabha that sought to fast-track 33% reservation for women in legislative bodies.Mahajan said the large turnout, around 15,000 to 20,000 women, led to traffic congestion. “She was very angry and spoke in an inappropriate manner. Even after we told her the road would be cleared in 10–15 minutes, she was not ready to listen and, in anger, even threw a bottle,” he claimed.The confrontation took place while the minister was speaking to reporters. A visibly upset woman interrupted, questioning why the protest could not be held at an open ground instead of blocking public roads. “Get out of here. You are causing a traffic jam,” she said.Defending the protest, Mahajan said the march had prior permission and followed a designated route, making some congestion unavoidable. He denied any lapse in police planning or allegations of VIP culture, adding that large gatherings inevitably disrupt traffic.Despite the outburst, the minister said he asked police not to act harshly against the woman and also calmed party workers angry by her remarks. “I understand she was in a hurry to pick up her child, so her anger is partly justified. But the language she used and throwing a bottle was wrong. Still, I don’t think any legal action is needed,” he said.Mahajan added that he had apologized for the inconvenience, noting the disruption lasted about an hour and was for a “significant cause” related to women’s rights.Responding to criticism comparing the march to smaller meetings held during non-peak hours, he said such comparisons were misplaced. “A morcha with 15,000 to 20,000 participants is entirely different,” he said.After the initial exchange, the woman returned and continued shouting, asking why the situation had not been understood despite the inconvenience to hundreds of commuters. She also rebuffed a police officer who tried to intervene.The incident, captured on video, quickly went viral, with the Congress accusing the BJP of misleading women and using the issue to push a “false narrative.”(With agency inputs)
