Expressing dissatisfaction with the Maharashtra government’s refusal to provide reservations for the Maratha community within the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota, activist Manoj Jarange-Patil on Wednesday announced another round of statewide agitation from February 24, if his demands are not met.
The announcement came a day after the Maratha Reservation Bill was passed by the Maharashtra Assembly. As part of the bill, people belonging to the Maratha community will get a quota of 10 per cent in government jobs and education.
However, Jarange-Patil had demanded the Maratha reservation under the OBC category, and not separately.
The protestors will hold a ‘Rasta Roko’ demonstration from February 24. Roads in villages will be blocked from 10.30 am to 1 pm. Following this, the roads will be blocked from 4 pm to 7 pm.
“No politician will come to our (protestors) houses, and we will also not go to their houses,” Jarange-Patil said.
The Election Commission is requested not to hold elections until the Maratha reservation under the OBC category is given.
“If elections are held, the campaign vehicles will be confiscated in one’s village and will be given back after the elections end,” Jarange-Patil said.
The elderly of the Maratha community will sit for a fast with Jarange-Patil from March 1. “If anything happens to them, the government will take responsibility for it,” Jarange-Patil announced.
On March 3, the ‘Rasta Roko’ demonstration will take place across all Maharashtra districts, except Mumbai. Roads will be blocked from 12 noon to 1 pm.
A decision on whether to go to Mumbai or not will be taken after a meeting of the Maratha reservation leaders on March 3.
After the Maharashtra State Socially and Educationally Backward Bill 2024 was passed by the Maharashtra Assembly on Tuesday, Jarange-Patil termed the move a “betrayal to the Maratha community”. “This decision of the government has been taken by keeping the elections and votes in mind. This is a betrayal to the Maratha community,” he told news agency ANI.
“The Maratha community won’t trust you. We will benefit only from our original demands… This reservation won’t hold. The government will now lie that the reservation has been given,” he said.
The Maratha Reservation Bill was passed unanimously, with only Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, of the Nationalist Congress Party, objecting to the legislation.