Mumbai: Maratha protest demanding reservations called off
Mumbai bandh
The protest was called off just before 3 pm today. Another band may be called on August 9
The Maratha Kranti Morcha which led the protests in Maharashtra demanding quota for the Maratha community in jobs and education has finally called off the Mumbai bandh.
The protests which began today morning were called off just before 3 pm.
The leader of the Morcha Virendra Pawar said the protests were called off because it was turning violent.
He said they never wanted to indulge in violence and just wanted to prove the unity of their community.
Pawarsaid, "We only wanted to prove that we are together and proved it. We never wanted protests to get violent and therefore, we are calling off our bandh in Mumbai for today".
"We suspect some people carried out violent activities with political motives. Otherwise, it was supposed to be peaceful like before. But considering the reports of violence coming from outside Mumbai, we decided to call it off".
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Another leader of the Morcha said a bandh may be called again on August 9 but a final call in this regard will be taken after consulting all senior members of all Maratha morchas.
The Maratha Kranti Morcha had given the call for the bandh, demanding an apology from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for alleging that some members from the community were planning violence at Pandharpur town in Solapur district.
Fadnavis, who was scheduled to perform puja at a temple on 'Ashadhi Ekadashi' on Monday, cancelled it after the Maratha outfits threatened to disrupt the event.
Meanwhile, the state chief minister had assured that the government was ready to talk with the Maratha community".
He said, "The government has taken cognisance of protest by Maratha community and has taken several decisions. The Government is ready to talk to them."
He added that the government had made a law for reservation to the community but that was stayed by Bombay High Court.
Quotas for Marathas, a politically influential community that constitutes around 30 per cent of the state's population, has been a hugely contentious issue.
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.
A state-wide protest began in Maharashtra on Tuesday by Maratha outfits demanding reservation for the community in the state.The protest led to the death of one constable, injuring nineother policemen.
(With inputs from PTI)