PUNE/MUMBAI: After speaking to the state delegation in the morning, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange said, “They (bureaucrats) are not the decision-makers on the issue. I request the CM and both the deputy chief ministers to take the lead and resolve the issue.”
He added, “We will peacefully continue with the agitation, but will not leave Mumbai until we get the reservation. Our agitation is being carried in a democratic manner. Nobody should stop us from agitating on Azad Maidan in Mumbai.”
Issuing a notice to Jarange who moved along with thousands of his supporters towards Mumbai on Thursday, the city police said that no ground in Mumbai could accommodate such a large gathering.
CM Shinde again appealed to Jarange to “cooperate with the government” as it was “supportive of Maratha reservation.” He said, “I can understand an agitation when the government is against the quota, but that is not the case. We want to provide reservation that will last and which will not affect any other quota. The Maharashtra State Backward Class commission is working overtime on the Maratha quota survey with surveyors working three shifts a day. A large number of Kunbi certificates have also been distributed to Marathas with Kunbi records.”
Jarange reached Lonavla around 6 am on Thursday with his supporters. Addressing a rally at the hill station, he appealed to his supporters not to resort to violence. “We will show it to the world that the way the Marathas win while fighting, they can also ensure victories in a peaceful way. If we stay united till the end, we will create history,” he said.
The Maratha quota activist told his supporters that he would not take any decision by keeping them in the dark. “After any meeting with ministers or government officials, I will discuss the outcome with all of you. I will take any further call on the issue after talking to you,” he said.
Earlier in the day, CM Shinde told reporters at his native village, Dare Tam, in Satara district that it was clear that his government would not disturb the OBC quota while providing reservation to the Maratha community.
“We are trying to provide reservation to the Marathas without any threat to the OBC quota. We have given all benefits of OBCs to the Maratha community,” he said.
Shinde further said, “I have not spoken with him (Jarange) so far. He had a discussion with divisional officials. Some suggestions were made on the Kunbi registration. He has also been updated about the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission-commissioned survey to help push the state’s case for a Maratha quota in the Supreme Court.”
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who addressed a rally in Junnar tehsil of Pune district, also supported the demand for Maratha reservation.
“I am of the view that the Maratha community must get the reservation. Earlier, the Prithviraj Chavan-led government had given the go-ahead to the quota. Later, the Devendra Fadnavis-led government also announced reservation for the Maratha community. However, on both occasions, it was stuck down in the court of law. This time, we have to ensure reservation for the community which will be acceptable in the court of law,” he said.
He added, “We will peacefully continue with the agitation, but will not leave Mumbai until we get the reservation. Our agitation is being carried in a democratic manner. Nobody should stop us from agitating on Azad Maidan in Mumbai.”
Issuing a notice to Jarange who moved along with thousands of his supporters towards Mumbai on Thursday, the city police said that no ground in Mumbai could accommodate such a large gathering.
CM Shinde again appealed to Jarange to “cooperate with the government” as it was “supportive of Maratha reservation.” He said, “I can understand an agitation when the government is against the quota, but that is not the case. We want to provide reservation that will last and which will not affect any other quota. The Maharashtra State Backward Class commission is working overtime on the Maratha quota survey with surveyors working three shifts a day. A large number of Kunbi certificates have also been distributed to Marathas with Kunbi records.”
Jarange reached Lonavla around 6 am on Thursday with his supporters. Addressing a rally at the hill station, he appealed to his supporters not to resort to violence. “We will show it to the world that the way the Marathas win while fighting, they can also ensure victories in a peaceful way. If we stay united till the end, we will create history,” he said.
The Maratha quota activist told his supporters that he would not take any decision by keeping them in the dark. “After any meeting with ministers or government officials, I will discuss the outcome with all of you. I will take any further call on the issue after talking to you,” he said.
Earlier in the day, CM Shinde told reporters at his native village, Dare Tam, in Satara district that it was clear that his government would not disturb the OBC quota while providing reservation to the Maratha community.
“We are trying to provide reservation to the Marathas without any threat to the OBC quota. We have given all benefits of OBCs to the Maratha community,” he said.
Shinde further said, “I have not spoken with him (Jarange) so far. He had a discussion with divisional officials. Some suggestions were made on the Kunbi registration. He has also been updated about the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission-commissioned survey to help push the state’s case for a Maratha quota in the Supreme Court.”
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who addressed a rally in Junnar tehsil of Pune district, also supported the demand for Maratha reservation.
“I am of the view that the Maratha community must get the reservation. Earlier, the Prithviraj Chavan-led government had given the go-ahead to the quota. Later, the Devendra Fadnavis-led government also announced reservation for the Maratha community. However, on both occasions, it was stuck down in the court of law. This time, we have to ensure reservation for the community which will be acceptable in the court of law,” he said.