Maharashtra shutdown today: Marathas on warpath after reservation agitator’s death in Aurangabad – 10 updates

Maratha outfits have called for a bandh in Maharashtra on Tuesday, a day after a man demanding reservation for the community jumped to his death in a river in Aurangabad district.

A pro-reservation Maratha leader said they have called the bandh across the state and that they would continue their agitation until Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis apologises to the community. Fadnavis had said on Sunday that he was cancelling his visit, scheduled on Monday, to the temple in Pandharpur after protesting Maratha outfits threatened to disrupt the event.

"We will continue our agitation until Chief Minister Fadnavis apologises to the Maratha community. We will observe bandh in Aurangabad and other parts of the state today," Ravindra Patil, the coordinator of a pro-reservation group of Marathas, said.

10 latest updates on Maharashtra bandh call by Maratha outfits: 

1. On Monday, a 27-year-old protester, Kakasaheb Shinde, jumped off a bridge over Godavari River in Aurangabad. He was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead, police said.

Aurangabad: Maratha Kranti Morcha workers continue their protest over death of a person who died after jumping off a bridge into Godavari river yesterday during 'jal samadhi agitation' in the district for reservation for Maratha community in govt jobs & education. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/NmoHE0eQik

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2018

2. The outfit, which led the 'jal samadhi' protest in which Shinde died, is leading the agitation seeking reservation for the community in government jobs and education.

3. In the last few days, protests have take place in Buldhana, Akola, Parali, Washim and even in Mumbai. 

4. Shinde's death had triggered a fresh set of protests in several parts of Maharashtra, with opposition leaders seeking to put the onus on the BJP-led government in the state.

Maha: Bus carrying people,going to take part in 'Waari' in Pandharpur,is stuck at Latur bus stand since last night due to #Maharashtra bandh. Bus conductor (pic 2)says 'We were told can go ahead on your own risk.' People say 'There's no staff here. Our money isn't being returned' pic.twitter.com/WvUez33NzY

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2018

5. A Bus carrying people, going to take part in 'Waari' in Pandharpur was stuck at Latur bus stand since last night due to Maharashtra bandh. Bus conductor said that they 'were told can go ahead on your own risk.' 

6. The Maratha Kranti Morcha had on Monday demanded an apology from Fadnavis for alleging that some members from the community were planning violence at Pandharpur town in Solapur district, where the chief minister was earlier scheduled to perform puja at a temple on 'Ashadhi Ekadashi'.

7. Quotas for Marathas, a politically influential community that constitutes around 30% of the state's population, has been a hugely contentious issue.

8. The community leaders had earlier taken out several rallies in various districts to highlight their demands. 

9. Last year, a huge rally was organised by the Maratha Kranti Morcha in this connection in Mumbai.

10. Despite assurances from Fadnavis to fulfil the demands, nothing concrete has been done till now, community leaders have claimed. 

(With PTI inputs)