"I am simply doing my job but the police and the State are failing at theirs," advocate Gunratan Sadavarte said.

Ten days after the Maharashtra Assembly had unanimously passed a Bill granting 16% reservation for Marathas in government jobs and education, there was chaos outside the Bombay High Court on Monday as the advocate appearing for the petitioner opposing reservation was abused and assaulted by a mob chanting “ek maratha lakh maratha.”

Advocate Gunratan Sadavarte who appears for Advocate Dr. Jayashree Patil was attacked by a mob and hit by a man outside the HC building. This happened right after he argued that by providing reservation to Marathas, the State is crossing the 50% ceiling for reservation as declared by the Supreme Court and this reservation leaves only 32% for the open category in educational institutions and government jobs.

After the matter was argued and adjourned to December 19 by a division bench of Chief Justice Naresh Patil and Justice M.S. Karnik, there was chaos outside the court.

Advocate Sadavarte looked visibly disturbed and anxious while he walked back to the same bench. He narrated the incident and said: "I have been receiving almost 1000 threat calls from the day I tookup the matter." With teary eyes and broken voice he continued, "I get pictures of my daughter and building sent to me that say we know where you live."

He went on to say, "I had already reported this to the police but nothing was done. I am simply doing my job but the police and the State are failing at theirs."

The court immediately summoned the Advocate General (AG) Ashutosh Khumbhakoni to be present in court and said, "This is not proper. The matter is before the court and the court will decide."

Advocate Sadavarte said, " I feel insecure. I get calls where I am being told that I am going against the Brahmins and that I belong to the scheduled class."

The court said, "Go to the AGs office and provide him security round the clock." Mr Khumbhakoni nodded and said, "We will provide him security as soon as he steps out of the court."