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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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.
► 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.
#WATCH Mumbai: Visuals of #MarathaKrantiMorcha rally demanding reservation pic.twitter.com/zCozsaeOek
— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2017
"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
#MarathaKrantiMorcha | Participants going towards Byculla from where the silent march will start https://t.co/U51aHWht5x @ss_suryawanshi pic.twitter.com/IPvZzZiHaB
— DNA (@dna) August 9, 2017
War room at Shivaji Mandir where minute to minute movement of participants is followed and necessary instructions are given.
Heavy police bandobast on Eastern Express highway, no toll to be collected today.
Maratha youth dressing up for silent protest march
