Minister Appeals for Dialogue Amid Impending Maratha Quota March to Mumbai
Massive Maratha March Threatens Mumbai Chaos
As tensions rise over the Maratha reservation demands, Maharashtra's Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil on Saturday urged activist Manoj Jarange to engage in direct negotiations with the government instead of proceeding with his planned demonstration in the city. Patil emphasized the importance of resolving issues through discussion, while also cautioning that any unlawful gatherings would prompt necessary enforcement measures.
Jarange, a prominent figure in the Maratha quota movement, has scheduled a major agitation beginning August 29 at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai. His call seeks to classify the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) for access to job and education benefits. This push has drawn resistance from OBC organizations, who fear it could dilute their existing allocations.
"Let's address the Maratha reservation concerns systematically with documentation and dialogue, avoiding repeated agitations or fasts," Patil stated during a media interaction in Sangli. He highlighted the right to peaceful assembly but stressed the state's obligation to maintain order.
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In preparation for the event, the Maharashtra government recently revamped its cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservation. Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil now heads the 12-member panel, which includes Girish Mahajan, Dada Bhuse, Uday Samant, Shambhuraj Desai, Ashish Shelar, Shivendrasinhrake Bhosale, Manikrao Kokate, Makrand Jadhav Patil, Babasaheb Patil, and the General Administration Department secretary, along with Chandrakant Patil as a member. The group's responsibilities encompass handling legal and administrative matters, coordinating with court representatives, executing judicial directives, consulting with activists, simplifying caste certificate processes, and evaluating community welfare programs.
Patil noted that under his prior leadership, numerous Kunbi certificates were issued to eligible Marathas, enabling OBC perks for those with documented agrarian lineage. "It's time for fresh perspectives in this role," he remarked.
Jarange's strategy involves a march commencing August 27 from Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district, with en route halts at Shivneri Fort and Chakan before arriving in Mumbai. He has amassed over 58 lakh historical records, including gazettes from Bombay, Satara, and Hyderabad, to argue that Marathas and Kunbis are synonymous, demanding immediate certificate issuance based on these. Jarange has vowed to remain in Mumbai until the demands are fulfilled and encouraged widespread community participation, even suggesting electoral repercussions for non-supportive leaders.
OBC leader Laxman Hake has voiced apprehensions that the protest, overlapping with the Ganesh festival starting around the same time, could lead to disruptions and potential disorder in Mumbai. Recalling incidents in Beed during 2023 agitations where properties of lawmakers were targeted, Hake urged authorities to restrict Jarange's entry to the city and contain the event in Jalna. He also accused Jarange of coordinating with political figures like Sharad Pawar to unsettle stability, warning of counter-mobilization from OBC groups if needed.
The broader context traces back to the Supreme Court's 2021 invalidation of a prior Maratha quota. Last year, the Eknath Shinde administration introduced a 10 percent standalone reservation for Marathas, which is currently under scrutiny in the Bombay High Court. However, Jarange insists on integration into the OBC framework, backed by Kunbi recognition drives initiated by the state.
With the assembly elections on the horizon, the issue continues to polarize communities, prompting calls for balanced resolutions to prevent escalation.
