Biggest Maratha Morcha in Mumbai on Wed

SILENT MARCH The gathering is not against any caste, but for Maratha pride

Sounding a terse warning to the state government, Mauli Pawar Maratha Kranti Morcha (MKM) convenor from Solapur remarked that this will be the 58th and the last silent morcha of the Maratha community that will hit Mumbai on August 9.

Speaking to media persons on Monday in Mumbai, Pawar ruled out any talks with the government and added that their only demand is that the government should announce granting of reservations to the community. Rejecting governments invitation for talks, he added that they understand the government’s trap of endless meetings that are without any results. The convenors of the state-level coordination committee claimed that a virtual storm of Maratha people from all over the state will hit Mumbai on August 9, bringing the city to a grinding halt.

He stated that none of the convenors shall go for talks with the government. Pawar warned the government that the organisers would not be responsible for any law and order problems created due to the morcha. He demanded that the government accord educational concessions and reservations to the community like the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

He said that the community has been forced to come to Mumbai as the government has still not accepted the demand. “Are you going to give us our demand or are you forcing us to launch a fierce agitation”, questioned Mauli Pawar.

Meanwhile, MKM Pune convenor Raghunath Chitre-Patil, in a terse message to Mumbaikars, said that those coming by road to Mumbai from Tuesday evening onwards will have to stay put outside Mumbai. On the other hand, Maratha Farmers Mahasangh affiliate of MKM, Sambhajiraje S Dahatonde-Patil demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for the failure to give minimum assured price to farm produce and governments inability to grant reservation to the Maratha community.

The silent morcha will commence from Virmata Jijamata Udyan (Bhyculla Zoo) at 11 am on August 9 and wind its way from Annasaheb Patil flyover, Khadaparsi, Ismail Merchant chowk, JJ flyover to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and culminate in a gathering at Azad Maidan.

For the benefit of the Maratha community and people coming from all over the state parking facilities for buses has been made at Bombay Port Trust and Wadala Truck terminal. Community people coming from different directions have been asked to park their four wheelers at entry points in Navi Mumbai, Mulund, Bhandup, Dahanu, Vasai-Virar, Dahisar, Thane, Palghar and suburban trains have been arranged up to Byculla.

The silent morcha will commence from Virmata Jijamata Udyan at 11 am on August 9 and wind its way from Annasaheb Patil flyover, Khadaparsi, Ismail Merchant chowk, JJ flyover to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus