The government must provide reservation to Maratha community else the agitation may turn violent warn activists.
The Maratha community which so far have been holding silent marches in various districts of Maharashtra has threatened to intensify their agitation if the state government fails to grant reservation to them. Activists have warned that the protests may turn violent if the government turns a blind eye towards their demands. Maratha Mukti Morcha activists already have held a meeting in Aurangabad to plan their strategy for further course of action.
Ravindra Kale convenor of Maratha Mukti Morcha said, “The government must provide reservation to people belonging to Maratha community. They must punish culprits responsible for Kopardi rape and murder case, amend SC, ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act) for preventing its misuse, provide loan waiver to farmers for curbing suicides and guaranteed rate for agricultural produce. We have already held dharna in various districts of the state. Even women and youth had participated in the morcha in large numbers.”
“Till date we have held marches in Pune, Navi Mumbai, Ahmednagar, Beed, Nashik. We will also hold dharna in Sangli, Satara, Baramati, Kolhapur and Mumbai. We will hold a march in Sangli on 27th September, Satara on 3rd October, Kolhapur on 15th October,” he added.
Former Chief Minister and Congress leader Narayan Rane said, “The Chief Minister should not resign but he must provide reservation to the Maratha community. He has been misleading people by giving false assurance about quota.”
After the brutal rape and murder of a girl in Kopardi Maratha activists are angry and they have held silent marches without seeking support from political parties. This has been a people’s movement without intervention from any political outfit. Protesters were also against the state government’s decision to award the prestigious Maharashtra Bhushan to historian Babasaheb Purandare who hails from the Brahmin community.
“We have already issued an ultimatum to the government to fulfil our demand of reservation in the meet held at Aurangabad. The government must resolve this issue at the earliest else the agitation may turn violent,” said Kale.
A Maratha community member who participated in the march, said, “Though the entire march was conducted peacefully and with complete discipline, we have sent our demands to the government loud and clear.”
On the other hand, the Fadnavis government is worried that the agitation might create instability for the government. Congress and NCP are worried that Maratha community might not forgive them for sidelining them during their reign.
Marathas comprise 32 per cent of the state’s population and plays a decisive role in the swinging of votes during election. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “The government is committed to deliver social justice for Marathas. Since the matter is stuck in court the government too has been unable to grant reservations to the community.”
