The Maratha Kranti Morcha, a local outfit in Maharashtra are demanding reservations in government jobs
The Maratha Kranti Morcha, a local outfit in Maharashtra who have been demanding reservations in government jobs and education for the community, plan another phase of their agitation today.
According to a press note issued by the Maratha outfit, the community is organising a "Jail Bharo Andolan", or "fill the prisons protest" for their major demands. The protest will take place at Azad Maidan in Mumbai.
The major demands of the protesters include, decision on the Maratha quota at the earliest, all cases against Maratha protesters be taken back, action against the officers responsible for firing and lathi charge during the July 25 protest, resignation or sacking of ministers and MLAs who gave irresponsible statements against Maratha community.
Besides reservation, the outfit has also been demanding for a complete loan waiver, "justice" in the Kopardi rape case, and a solution to unemployment for their community.
Protestors are currently blocking the Pune-Solapur highway.
Here are the LIVE updates on the Mumbai protests over reservations:
Over 100 Maratha activists staged a noisy ''jail-bharo'' agitation at Azad Maidan here on Wednesday, marking the intensified phase of their ongoing fortnight-long campaign for job quotas for the community, according to an IANS report.
Maratha Kranti Morcha city convenor Virendra Pawar said the agitation in Mumbai was a success and protests were also underway in other parts of the state including Nashik, Parbhani, Solapur and Kolhapur.
Thousands of activists marched to the Azad Maidan in the morning shouting slogans demanding Maratha quotas in government jobs and education. They later courted arrest and were whisked away in police vans.
Amid the raging Maratha quota row, Maharashtra Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar today said the government does not want to 'fool' the community with a hurried decision which may end up in a long court battle, according to a Press Trust of India report.
Speaking to reporters here, Mungantiwar said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was making all efforts to give reservation to the community and emphasis was being laid on following of all due processes.
"Working for Maratha reservation very honestly," says Devendra Fadnavis"We are working for Maratha reservation very honestly and seriously. We want this reservation to sustain and so completing all the legal formalities," Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said.
"Simultaneously,we took decisions for educational fees,hostels. We are giving loans to make our youth job givers," he said.