Saffron sea at Azad Maidan as Maratha kranti morcha protest reaches Mumbai

At Azad Maidan, a morcha participant -- dressed like Chhatrapati Shivaji -- was heard extolling the virtues of a "government of the people and for the people", as practised by the Maratha king.

Wearing saffron caps and carrying flags, the protesters walked down south Mumbais JJ flyover, which was closed for vehicular traffic, winding their way to the protest venue.

Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh also voiced his support to the protest march with a late night tweet. "Ek Maratha, Lakh Maratha," the actor tweeted in Marathi, referring to a popular slogan.

Another protester came to the venue in the attire of a farmer in distress, with a noose dangling from his neck.

The first protest was held in Aurangabad on August 9 last year.

At the Jijamata Udyan, where the Maratha morcha began at 11 AM, protesters tore banners put up by the Shiv Sena, stressing that they did not want any "political interference".

The protesters have been demanding reservation in jobs and educational institutions for members of the Maratha community, punishment for culprits in the Kopardi case and loan waivers for farmers.

Mumbai's Azad Maidan turned into a sea of saffron today as thousands of people demanding reservations for the Maratha community gathered here in what was their 58th protest in a year. Photos: AFP