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The Maratha reservation issue in Maharashtra has taken a contentious turn as Shivba Sanghatana leader Manoj Jarange-Patil accused the government of making ‘last-minute promises’ and attempting to deceive the Maratha community. With tensions escalating, Jarange-Patil announced a protest march from Jalna to Mumbai starting on Jan. 20, expressing frustration over the prolonged delay in the government’s decision on Maratha quotas pending since August 2023.
Addressing the media, Jarange-Patil criticized the government’s tactics of presenting different proposals each time the agitation intensifies, accusing ministers of trying to disrupt their campaign. Despite alleged attempts to dislodge the movement, Jarange-Patil emphasized the determination of the Maratha community, affirming that the scheduled march to Mumbai will proceed as planned.
The Shivba Sanghatana leader reiterated his longstanding demand for the swift issuance of Kunbi Caste certificates to 5.40 million Marathas within two days. Additionally, he insisted on the acceptance of the demand for reservation for specific categories of blood relatives of the beneficiaries. Jarange-Patil emphasized that compliance with these demands would change the nature of their march to Mumbai, turning it into a congratulatory event for the government.
Jarange-Patil justified his stance by pointing out the government’s repeated failure to take concrete actions despite making promises during previous protests. The frustration has been building for over six months, with government representatives allegedly offering solutions that remain unimplemented.
While expressing concerns about potential forceful interventions by the government to halt the Maratha march, Jarange-Patil reminded authorities of the repercussions. Referring to the past violence in Antarvali-Sarati on Sep. 1 and the subsequent attacks on properties and elected representatives during previous protests, he cautioned against repeating such actions.
Jarange-Patil upped the ante by threatening an all-India agitation if the promised Maratha quotas are not implemented, as assured by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on multiple occasions, including in the Maharashtra Legislature. This indicates a broader mobilization of Maratha communities beyond the state boundaries.
Despite the government’s assurances, objections have arisen from the OBC (Other Backward Classes) communities, who oppose the idea of carving out Maratha quotas from existing OBC reservations. Some OBC groups plan to organize a rival protest rally in Mumbai in the coming week, setting the stage for potential clashes between different communities with conflicting interests.
The Maratha reservation issue in Maharashtra has reached a critical juncture, with the Shivba Sanghatana leader accusing the government of deception and vowing to proceed with a protest march to Mumbai. The government’s assurances and the opposition from OBC communities add layers of complexity to the already contentious situation, raising concerns about potential unrest and clashes in the coming days. The resolution of this issue will likely require careful negotiation and a balanced approach to address the concerns of all involved parties.
