Mumbai: Members of the Maratha community in Maharashtra persisted with their protests across various parts of the state on Tuesday, demanding Maratha reservations in government jobs and education under the OBC (Other Backward Classes) category.
In a notable incident, a group of protestors blocked the Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway for two hours on Tuesday afternoon, leading to a substantial traffic congestion. The protesters are standing firm in their demands, resulting in an ongoing traffic jam on both sides of the highway.
Simultaneously, another group of Maratha Kranti Morcha activists obstructed railway tracks in Solapur. Footage from the protest depicted demonstrators setting tires on fire on the railway tracks, while waving saffron flags and insisting on reservations for the Maratha community.
Railway authorities and the Solapur City Police took into custody two protesters, identified as Ram Jadhav and Nishant Salve, in connection with the incident. The authorities managed to clear the protesters from the railway tracks, although the protests continue.
In another incident in Maharashtra's Jalna district, a group of individuals set fire to a panchayat samiti office during a protest. Supporters chanting "Ek Maratha Lakh Maratha" reached the panchayat samiti office in Ghansawangi on Monday night and vandalized property by setting it ablaze. Some crucial documents and furniture in two rooms of the office were damaged, as confirmed by an official from Ghansawangi police station.
In a separate event in Jalna, some youths from the Maratha community attempted to block trains at a railway gate in Shelgaon village of Badnapur tehsil on Monday afternoon. The protesters sat on the railway tracks in an attempt to disrupt train services.
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange has continued his indefinite fast in support of the reservation demand at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district since October 25. On Tuesday, he emphasized that the Maratha community would not accept "incomplete reservation," urging the Maharashtra government to convene a special session of the state legislature to address the issue.
In the midst of turmoil across the state, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray called on the Centre to resolve the Maratha reservation matter by convening a special session of Parliament.
In response to the ongoing situation in the state, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated, "The state government is actively working to resolve the Maratha quota issue." He also noted that a few individuals were taking advantage of the protests and inciting violence. Fadnavis mentioned, "In Beed, certain public representatives' houses, hotels, vehicles, and government establishments have been set on fire," and added, "Additional forces have been deployed and mobilized in affected areas."
Fadnavis further stated that the home department would take strong action, and approximately 50 to 55 culprits had been identified through CCTV footage. He indicated that Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) would be enforced, and those causing disturbances would not be tolerated. Fadnavis also mentioned that certain political leaders and their supporters had been identified in the unrest and would face charges under appropriate sections.