State backs quota, sets no deadline
Lakhs gather to press for reservation in jobs and education, Fadnavis regime agrees in principle, but makes no promises on implementation
The Marathas have sent out a loud message to the government with a massive silent march attended by several lakh protestors. In the shortterm, though, the men, women and children went back with a bunch of assurances from the Fadnavis regime.
Yes, the government backed the quota demand of the Marathas, yes, there should be reservation for them in jobs and educational institutions, but the government gave no deadline for its implementation because the matter was in court.
The Morcha, which brought Mumbai to a grinding halt on Wednesday, made its demands forcefully through a delegation of 40 members who met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the Assembly chamber. A young school girl reminded the CM about his poll promise to extending reservation to the Marathas but in the end, got only a few assurances. The Maharashtra Assembly is going on and their aim was to raise their concerns in the House.
Former Chief Minister Narayan Rane told Free Press Journal, “Marathas have demanded that the government accord educational concessions and reservations to their community like the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). It is really unfortunate that the community has been forced to come to Mumbai in such large numbers. This government has still not accepted their demand.”
The Maharashtra government very smartly made Rane, rather disgruntled in Congress party and a Maratha, the face of the committee appointed by the government to look into the reservation issue. He now has to submit a report to the Bombay High Court giving details of the Marathas’ social, economic and educational status. Fadnavis has asked for a timebound report to be submitted by the committee. On Wednesday, he did not set a deadline for the implementation of the quotas, stating that the matter was in the High Court.
On the second Maratha demand for fast justice for the Kopardi rape and murder victim, Fadnavis said, “We promised to fast-track the case and we have done so. We did set up a special court in five months. However, the lawyers of the accused are using delaying tactics. They have refrained from appearing under some pretext or the other and were fined twice. They further delayed demanding examination of more witnesses. They approached the HC and now have been allowed to examine only one witness. This too is in court and we will do all we can to push it.”
Armed with these assurances, the delegation went back to Azad Maidan where their supporters were waiting. It was then that they realised that all they had come back with were mere assurances.
In the Assembly, there was a twist to the Maratha tale. Soon after Fadnavis gave an account of what transpired at the meeting, Abu Azmi, the president of the Maharashtra unit of Samajwadi Party, shot back, “What grievances do you have against Muslims that you have refused to give them reservations, which was only for education…Even the courts have asked the government to give reservation to Muslims.”
A horde of people commenced marching from Wednesday morning onwards towards Azad Maidan, saffronising Mumbai as marchers came together at different points to Byculla, the starting point of the rally.
Participants had come with high hopes, as the seat of the state power is in Mantralaya, Mumbai. Hoping to hear something positive on getting reservations for Marathas, rally participants told their stories of struggle as compared to the communities they feel have had it easy because of reservations.
Shubhangi More, who came all the way from Satara with her three-year-old son Sayam, said she has high expectations from the state government. "I have struggled during admissions. I had secured good per cent and still I could not secure admissions in a good college. Moreover, the other obstacle is of high fees which we are forced to pay just because we fall in the open category,” she said. Shubhangi pointed out how reservations has helped other communities that have had a smooth sailing.
“Look at the students of other communities. It is a cakewalk for them to get admissions in a popular college or to get a government job. That is why I have come here, to fight for the next Maratha generation. They deserve reservations.”
Shubhagi's son Sayam, a three-old-boy was seen singing in the crowd- Ek Maratha Ek lakh Maratha. Another youngster Swapnil Dumbare also has the same opinion on reservation.
Another youngster Sudharshan Garud a 21-yearold boy from Belgaum, preparing for UPSC exams, also participated in the Maratha morcha. Garud said, “Our demands too should be addressed by the government. Though Belgaum is situated on the border of Karnataka there are a good number of Marathi speaking people. Justice should be done to us too.”
Around 4 pm in the evening the Maratha Kranti Morcha held in Mumbai wrapped up after a few people from the Sakal Maratha morcha, the parent body, visited Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis with 15 demands. The CM assured them that the Kopardi rape accused would get capital punishment and the state would put forth a strong stand in court. Also in every district of Maharashtra Rs 450 crore provision would be kept for Maratha community. Hostels would be developed in all districts for which Rs 5 crore provision has been declared. Also, loan can be availed under Late Annasaheb Patil scheme of up to Rs 10 lakh of which interest would be paid by the government. Also, separate reservation in 650 courses would be given to the Maratha community students.
The island city of Mumbai on Wednesday experienced saffron crowds, when huge number of Marathas gathered from all over Maharashtra enthusiastically for the 58th silent march held in Azad Maidan. Lakhs of people from all 36 districts of Maharashtra showed their presence in the silent protest march. Women, girls and even small children participated in the walk from Veer Jijamata Udyan till Azad Maidan.
The community wants 15 demands to be fulfilled by the government, which include reservation for Maratha community in both education and in government jobs.