Movements have started once again in Maharashtra demanding Maratha reservation. Meanwhile, on Monday, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced withdrawal of the FIR registered against the protesters. Apart from this, the movement chief Manoj Jarange has been urged to end the indefinite fast.
The agitators under the leadership of Manoj Jarange are on hunger strike in Jalna district since August 29 demanding reservation for the Maratha community. The situation worsened when the police, on the advice of doctors, tried to admit Jarange to hospital. But he refused. After this, the movement turned violent on September 1. Police resorted to lathicharge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the violent mob at Antarwali Sarati village on Dhule-Solapur road in Ambad tehsil. Police have registered a case against many people regarding the incident.
Chief Minister Shinde on Monday said the state government has decided to withdraw the FIR lodged against the protesters demanding Maratha reservation. Necessary instructions have been given to the officials for this. He said the government has also decided to suspend three police officers who resorted to lathi charge against the protesters. CM further said that Maharashtra is a progressive state. We want harmony and peace among every community. Manoj Jarange has been requested to withdraw his fast. I personally request you to end your fast.
A delegation of protesters agitating in Jalna, Maharashtra met CM Eknath Shinde in Mumbai on Friday. After the meeting, CM Shinde said that Maratha movement leader Manoj Jarange Patil had sent a delegation with whom positive discussions were held. Now this delegation will discuss with Jarange. We hope that the discussion will bear fruit and a solution will be found.
Sakal Maratha Samaj on Monday said black flags will be hoisted on the houses of the community from September 15 as part of a peaceful agitation for reservation in jobs and education. Sakal Maratha Samaj, a group of several organizations, has submitted a memorandum at the Divisional Commissioner’s office here. It was said in the memorandum that during the Nizam’s rule in Marathwada, the Maratha community was given the benefit of reservation. But it was removed after the formation of Maharashtra in 1960.