Thousands of people belonging to the Maratha community from different parts of Maharashtra converged in Mumbai. Amid tight security, the massive silent march began from the Jijamata Udyan in Byculla this morning with participants carrying saffron swallowtail flags.
Here is all you need to know
► Why is the un-organised Maratha community mobilising against the BJP-led government?
The Maratha community is the majority caste in Maharashtra. This kind of mobilisation is happening after 250 years. The Kopardi rape and murder of a minor Maratha girl was the trigger that led to the morchas against their suppression. The unrest among the community has been present for a long time.
► What are their demands?
This is the 58th march of the Maratha community, exactly a year after the first such protest held in Aurangabad. The silent march is a part of their campaign to press for reservation in jobs and education.
Their other demands include amendments in SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act) to stop its misuse, loan waiver to curb farmer suicides and remunerative prices for agricultural produce.
► Who has organised the march
The march has been organised by the Sakal Maratha Samaj, an umbrella organisation of several Maratha groups.
People from Pune, Sangli, Satara, Kolhapur, Solapur, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Dhule, Jalgaon Nashik, Nandurbar and other cities have participated in Mumbai march.
► What the Morcha leader says?
"If CM Devendra Fadnavis fails to fulfil our demands, people will be frustrated further. If something untoward happens, the Maratha community should not be blamed,"said Sanjeev Bhor-Patil, a member of Maratha Sakal Samaj,
► What NCP MLC and Opposition Leader Dhananjay Munde said?
"All demands of the community are in the public domain. Chief Minister Fadnavis should resolve these demands immediately. He should not test the public's patience. It has almost been a year since these demands are being shelved."
In Maharashtra Legislature, where the monsoon session is underway, Shiv Sena MLAs also joined legislators across parties in shouting slogans demanding reservation for Marathas.
► About the community
The Maratha community is mostly the agrarian community, whose livelihood is based on agricultural activities. In the last two years, due to scanty rainfall, farmers faced huge financial crisis, leading to more farmers suicides. Also, less opportunities in government service for the youth, due to various reasons has led to unemployment.
However,
► Of Maharashtra's 17 chief ministers since it became a state in 1960, 10 have been Marathas. In this entire period, more than half of all MLAs have also been from the community.
► Almost 50% educational institutions are controlled by Maratha leaders. Of the 200-odd sugar factories, the mainstay of the state's economy, 168 are controlled by Marathas.
► Of the district cooperative banks, 70% are controlled by Marathas.
► The Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission had argued in 2008: "Marathas are both economically and politically a forward caste… They had never faced social stigma to invite a backward class status."
Moreover, most of the Bahujan leaders in BJP, like Eknath Khadse, Pankaja Munde, Vinod Tawde who were aspirants for the chief minister's post are systematically downsized by the incumbent chief minister. So, these leaders and their workers are directly and indirectly supporting the Maratha community's morchas to make history.
(With inputs form DNA reporters)
