Maratha groups to organise ‘Jail Bharo Andolan’ at Azad Maidan on Wednesday

Maratha Kranti Morcha, the organisation spearheading the protest for demanding reservations in government jobs and education for the community, has announced ‘Jail Bharo Andolan’ in Mumbai on August 1.

According to a press note issued by the Maratha Kranti Morcha, the community is will organise a ‘Jail Bharo Andolan’ for their major demands. The protest will take place at Azad Maidan in Mumbai.

The communities’ major demands are – 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 July 25 protest, resignation or sacking of ministers MLAs who gave irresponsible statements against Maratha community.

Besides reservation, the outfit has also been demanding loan waiver, justice in Kopardi rape and unemployment for their community. Another demand is for compensating those injured and the family members of those who died during protests

Maratha Kranti Morcha leader Amol Jadhavarao claimed that government has shown tokenism about their demands and has announced the acceptance of some of their demands after the All-Party Meet, but there is still no official written order issued in this regard.

The Mumbai police claimed to have ample security arrangements for ‘Jail Bharo Andolan’ in Mumbai to maintain law and order. The police has also been asked to be on alert in other parts of Maharashtra as well in wake of the protests.

On July 27, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had invited party leaders of both the Houses for a meeting in Vidhan Sabha to discuss the ongoing Maratha stir. He had earlier chaired a meeting with BJP ministers and party legislators from the Maratha community to discuss the issue.

A day before, a Maratha Kranti Morcha riot victim, who was injured in a clash between protestors and police in Navi Mumbai, succumbed to his injuries.

At least five people have so far died during the agitation by Marathas for job quota over the last one week, including 38-year-old Kacharu Kalyane, who allegedly committed suicide in Maharashtra’s Nanded district over the Maratha quota demand on July 29.

The politically influential Maratha community, constituting around 30 percent of the state’s population, has been agitating to press its demand for reservation in jobs and education.

The community had earlier taken out silent marches across the state to highlight their demands, prominently for reservation. However, their latest round of agitation has taken a violent turn.

Protesters had resorted to violence and arson at separate places in Maharashtra yesterday.

Four police officials were injured in stone pelting, while nearly 70 vehicles, including state and civic-run buses and those of police, were damaged or torched during the violence in Chakan near Pune.

Another mega rally will be held in Mumbai on August 9 in support of their quota demand, the outfits have said.

With agency inputs