Marathas are demanding reservation in government jobs and education under the OBC category, while the Dhangar (shepherd) community wants the ST (Scheduled Tribe) status. Incidents of violence erupted in parts of Maharashtra over the past few days with the Maratha quota supporters vandalising the residences and offices of some politicians.
Activist Manoj Jarange has been on a fast since October 25 at his Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district to demand Maratha reservation.
All-party meet on Maratha quota asks activist Jarange to withdraw his indefinite fast
Leaders at an all-party meeting on Maratha quota chaired by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday passed a resolution asking activist Manoj Jarange to call off his indefinite fast.
The Maharashtra government is in favour of the Maratha quota, CM Shinde said after the meeting in Mumbai.
Activist Jarange should cooperate with the government in ensuring quota for the Maratha community he said.
The CM said Marathas should observe restraint.
The government needs time for legal modalities to implement the reservation, Mr. Shinde said.
The resolution was signed by CM Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, NCP president Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab, Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Vijay Wadettiwar, LoP in the legislative council Ambadas Danve, among others.
PTI
“No law and order in Maharashtra”: Sanjay Raut attacks Shinde govt over Maratha quota row
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut launched a scathing attack on the ruling Shiv Sena and said that the law and order in Maharashtra is deteriorating amid the ongoing Maratha reservation row. “Look at the situation in Maharashtra, you are seeing that people of the Maratha community have taken to the streets, and the MLA and the minister are being stopped. Villages are being entered and their houses are being burnt. Law and order have completely broken down”, he said while addressing a Press Conference.
Mr. Raut said that there should be no politics on the issue of the Maratha reservation. ”There should be no politics on this issue, what kind of politics is there when it comes to law and order of the state? We should come together and discuss this question and solve the problem”, he added.
ANI
500 Maratha quota supporters booked for protest on Mumbai-Bengaluru highway
The Pune police have registered offences against nearly 500 activists of outfits supporting Maratha reservation for allegedly blocking a stretch of the Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway and setting tyres ablaze, officials said on Wednesday.
Protesters blocked the highway stretch near Navale bridge in Maharashtra’s Pune city between 12.15 pm and 2.45 p.m. on Tuesday and burnt tyres to press for their demand for reservation to Marathas, police said.
The police said they have registered offences against 400 to 500 activists of the Maratha Kranti Morcha and Sakal Maratha Morcha on various charges, including causing danger to the lives of others and spreading fear among commuters.
PTI
Sena (UBT) seeks time from President, demands special session of Parliament on Maratha quota issue
MP Vinayak Raut has written a letter to President Droupadi Murmu, seeking time to meet her and demand a special session of Parliament to discuss the issue of reservation for Maratha and Dhangar communities.
The letter, dated October 31, states that an 11-member delegation led by Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut wants to meet the president on November 5 or 6.
PTI
Legislators across party lines stage protest in Mumbai to support Maratha quota demand
A group of legislators from various parties staged a protest near the Maharashtra secretariat ‘Mantralaya’ here on Wednesday in support of the demand for reservation to the Maratha community.
Some of the lawmakers tried to lock the gate of Mantralaya saying they will not allow the administration to function until the Maratha community is granted reservation, police said.
The protesting legislators, from the Ajit Pawar-led NCP group, Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress, sat on stairs of the secretariat building and displayed placards with messages supporting the reservation for Marathas.
They also demanded a special session of the state legislature over the Maratha quota issue.
PTI
Curfew lifted in Beed; 99 people held so far for violence
Beed administration on Wednesday morning lifted a curfew imposed in parts of the district after violence during the Maratha quota agitation on Monday, officials said.
Prohibition orders will continue in the district, located in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra, and Internet services are still shut to maintain law and order, they said.
There is no relaxation in curfew in Dharashiv district as of now, the officials said.
The Beed police have registered more than 30 offences and arrested 99 people so far in connection with the violence, they said.
PTI
Activist Jarange firm on quitting water if reservation not given to Marathas
Activist Manoj Jarange on Wednesday reiterated that he will stop drinking water from this evening if his demand for reservation to the Maratha community is not fulfilled by the Maharashtra government.
Leaders of all parties should ask the Maharashtra government to call a special session of the State Legislature and give reservations to the Maratha community, Mr. Jarange who has observing fast at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district since October 25, told reporters.
PTI
Security heightened at residence of Fadnavis in Nagpur
“Police have stepped up security at the residence of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Nagpur in view of the ongoing agitation in parts of the State over the Maratha reservation demand,” an official said on November 1.
Nagpur Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar on Tuesday evening conducted a review of the security arrangements at Mr. Fadnavis' residence at Trikoni Park in Dharampeth area, in Nagpur.
“He ordered that the security be stepped up in view of the Maratha quota agitation,” the official said. Nagpur is the hometown of BJP leader Mr. Fadnavis.
A group of Maratha quota supporters earlier said they would launch a 'Mundan Andolan' (head tonsuring) in Mahal area of Nagpur on Wednesday. Incidents of violence have been witnessed in many parts of the State in the last few days.
State-run bus services have been completely suspended in five Marathwada districts while curfew and Internet shut-down were imposed in parts of Beed on Monday where the houses of political leaders were targeted by protesters.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has appealed to people not to resort to violence and also asked political parties to avoid indulging in any activities that would worsen the situation.
PTI
