Even the Maharashtra bandh called by Maratha Kranti Morcha has taken violent turn, the outfits have called for a bandh in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane and adjoining areas on Wednesday.
Even the Maharashtra bandh called by Maratha Kranti Morcha has taken violent turn, the outfits have called for a bandh in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane and adjoining areas on Wednesday.
The Maratha Kranti Morcha has demanded an apology from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for alleging that some members from the community were planning violence at Pandharpur during his visit which was later cancelled.
Over the last few days, Maratha community leaders have been pressing for demands to be fulfilled, including reservation in government jobs and education. The protest took a violent turn after a 27-year-old protester, Kakasaheb Shinde, jumped off a bridge over Godavari River in Aurangabad.
Today, during protests, two more people attempted to commit suicide in Aurangabad and they have been identified as Jayant Sonawane and Guddu Sonawane. Protesters also clashed with police and torched two fire brigade vehicle.
"We will observe a peaceful bandh tomorrow. Thane, Navi Mumbai, Raigad to be bandh tomorrow. Schools and colleges will not be included in this bandh as we do not intend to trouble anyone," said the outfit.
The community leaders had earlier taken out several rallies in various districts to highlight their demands. Last year, a huge rally was organised by the Maratha Kranti Morcha in this connection in Mumbai. Community leaders have claimed that despite assurances from Fadnavis to fulfil the demands, nothing concrete has been done till now.
Pravin Gaikwad, one of the coordinators of MKM said, All these allegations leveled by Fadnavis are baseless. "Till date, the Maratha community has taken out 58mookmorchas (silent marches) in the state and all these morchas were peaceful in nature. Not a single case of violence was reported during these morchas."
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Minister and Shiv Sena leader Subhash Desai said that Shiv Sena supports Maratha reservation and people who promised reservation to solve the issue should come forward.
Maharashtra MoS Deepak Kesarkar has appealed to the people to maintain peace and the issue can be solved by a peaceful dialogue. "15 lakh pilgrims are in Pandharpur for Wari. They should not face problems while going back to their homes," he added
Earlier today, a Shiv Sena MP was manhandled in Aurangabad district where he had gone to attend the last rites of a man, who died during the Maratha community's protest for reservation.
Internet services were suspended in rural areas of Aurangabad to prevent any untoward incident. Protesters had yesterday blocked the Ahmednagar-Aurangabad Highway and damaged a dozen vehicles, including a police van and bus, in Gangakhed tehsil of Parbhani district.
As a precautionary measure, the police and the district administration decided to suspend Internet services in rural areas since this morning to prevent any fresh protest or unrest, he said.
In the last few days, protests have taken place in Buldhana, Akola, Parali, Washim.
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