Maratha Kranti Morcha: Sops announced, CM asks OBC commission to examine reservation demands
So far, 57 protests, in the form of 'mook morcha' (silent rallies), have been held in various parts of the state following the brutal rape and murder of a 14-year-old Maratha girl in Kopardi in Ahmednagar district in July 2016.
Mumbai's Azad Maidan turned into a sea of saffron as thousands of people demanding reservations for the Maratha community gathered here in what was their 58th protest in a year.
Wearing saffron caps and carrying flags, the protesters walked down south Mumbai's JJ flyover, which was closed for vehicular traffic, winding their way to the protest venue.
At the Jijamata Udyan, where the Maratha morcha began at 11 AM, protesters tore banners put up by the Shiv Sena, stressing that they did not want any "political interference".
Rajya Sabha member Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje told reporters at Azad Maidan he was participating in the march not as a Member of Parliament but as an "ordinary member" of the Maratha community.
Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh also voiced his support to the protest march with a late night tweet.
"Ek Maratha, Lakh Maratha," the actor tweeted in Marathi, referring to a popular slogan.
At Azad Maidan, a morcha participant -- dressed like Chhatrapati Shivaji -- was heard extolling the virtues of a "government of the people and for the people", as practised by the Maratha king.
The protesters have been demanding reservation in jobs and educational institutions for members of the Maratha community, punishment for culprits in the Kopardi case and loan waivers for farmers
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After meeting members of the Maratha Kranti Morcha, who are holding a ‘silent protest’, Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis announced a host of sops for the community and also added that their demand for reservations would be forwarded to the Backward Class Commission.
Speaking at the state assembly about the reservation issue for the Maratha community, Fadnavis said: “High Court has sent it to OBC commission and state Government has assured the Maratha delegation that it has asked the OBC commission to submit its report to High Court in stipulated time frame so that state Government can provide reservation benefits to the community.”
Maha government students would be provided educational scholarships for all 605 courses along the lines of OBC students, announced CM Fadnavis . He also said that that the state government would be imparting training to 3 lakh wards of farmers under the skill development act.
Making the announcements in state assembly after meeting the delegation of Maratha silent march, Fadnavis said that Maratha students were provided with scholarships for 36 courses which now would be provided for all 605 courses. He added that state Government would provide Rs. 5 crores for building hostels for Maratha students in every district in addition to providing land for it.
Govt announces land and grant of Rs5 crore to build hostels for students from Maratha community in every district: Maha CM D Fadnavis in assembly
Matter referred to Backward classes commission which will do a study of feasibility of giving reservation to Maratha community: Maha CM
► A minister on the condition of anonymity said that hostels will be set up for for Maratha students in all districts and government would provide land and money for the same.
► Employment would be provided through skill development.
► Educational facilities of OBC would be extended to Maratha students.
3,500 Maratha Kranti Morcha volunteers clean Mumbai’s streets of trash keeping clean Mumbai.
"First give reservations, then participate" - BJP Mumbai president Ashish Shelar heckled by protesters.
Patidar community leader Hardik Patel extends his support to Maratha Kranti Morcha
Participants going towards Byculla from where the silent march will start
Participants from Pune, Sangli, Satara, Kolhapur, Solapur, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Dhule, Jalgaon Nashik, Nandurbar are reaching in Mumbai
Heavy police bandobast on Eastern Express highway, no toll to be collected today.
War room at Shivaji Mandir where minute to minute movement of participants is followed and necessary instructions are given.
Maratha youth dressing up for silent protest march