35-year-old becomes fifth man to end life over quota demand

We have been meeting community leaders and youths, urging them not to resort to violence or extreme steps. DNYANESHWAR PATIL, Maratha Kranti Morcha coordinator

MUMBAI: Tension gripped Maharashtra’s Beed district on Tuesday morning, after a 35-year-old man committed suicide to push for reservation for the Maratha community.

Police said Abhijeet Deshmukh, 35, was found hanging near his home at Vida village. His suicide note stated he was taking the extreme step owing to mounting debt and the delay in fulfilling the reservation demand, said police.

At least five youths from the community have killed themselves over the last one week to push for quotas in jobs and education. “We have been meeting community leaders and youths, urging them not to resort to violence or extreme measures such as suicide. The protests at nine places in eight districts of Marathwada will continue in a peaceful manner,” said Maratha Kranti Morcha coordinator Dnyaneshwar Patil.

Patil confirmed Deshmukh’s death was linked to the issue.

The region remained tense amid a sit-in protest by Maratha outfits, which has now entered its 14th day, and a Jalasamadhi agitation at the Manyar dam in Parla village.

Maratha groups have refused to withdraw the protest until all their demands – including reservations for the community – are met. Besides conducting sit-in protests across Marathwada and western Maharashtra, various outfits have resolved to launch a non-cooperation agitation by not paying utility bills. They have also threatened to picket the houses of MLAS and MPS across the state.

Chakan in Pune witnessed violent protests on Monday, a week after agitations engulfed Navi Mumbai. “The protest will continue until our demands are met,” said Shantaram Kunjir, one of the coordinators of the Maratha Kranti Morcha.