Mumbai: Maratha Kranti Morcha takes out massive rally demanding reservations in education and jobs
- Maratha Kranti Morcha took out a silent procession to demand for reservations for Maratha community
- The silent protest march began at 11 am from Byculla and will end around 5 pm at Azad Maidan in Mumbai
- This is likely to be the last rally for the Maratha community, which has been demanding reservation in government jobs and education
FollowClose to eight lakh people descended in Mumbai to participate in the Maratha Kranti Morcha’s massive rally on Wednesday, August 9, 2017. The massive ‘mook morcha’ (silent procession) is to demand reservations in jobs and education for the Maratha community.
The silent protest march began at 11 am from Byculla and will end around 5 pm at Azad Maidan.
This is likely to be the last rally for the Maratha community, which has been demanding reservation in government jobs and education. Started since August 9, 2016, with processions in 57 different cities, the Maratha Kranti Morcha made its maiden entry in the state capital after two previous attempts failed.
More than 10,000 police personnel, several drones and CCTV cameras are keeping watch over the silent protest.
Senior Congress leader Narayan Rane said that a delegation of Maratha leaders would meet the Chief Minister and submit a memorandum listing the various demands. The stress will be on education and job reservations for the Maratha community members.
Former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan also joined the protest at Haj House at 12 pm.
Shahu Maharaj, the titular ruler of Kolhapur, has also joined the protesters in demanding reservation for the Maratha community. He said that this is their last opportunity to get reservation. He added that it would be good if the government can decide on Wednesday itself.
The march was also supported by Pattidar community leader Hardik Patel.
मराठा क्रांति मोर्चा के द्वारा आयोजित मराठा मार्च को पाटीदार आंदोलन का पूरा समर्थन हैं।।
— Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) August 9, 2017
Although most of the march has gone on peacefully, a few protestors wanted to storm the Vidhan Sabha. However, the police brought the situation under control.
IBN Lokmat reports that Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is likely to announce the formation of a committee comprising several Maratha leaders to look into the reservation demand. Fadnavis is likely to meet leaders of the Maratha protests and Maratha MLAs and make an announcement in the Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday.
