BJP MP calls for protest over Maratha quota issue

Signalling an intensification within the Maratha quota agitation, BJP MP Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji, introduced that the primary Maratha morcha (rally) would begin from Kolhapur district on June 16.

The Rajya Sabha member, who had lately been on a State-wide tour to canvass help for the Maratha reservation issue after the Supreme Court final month scrapped the quota regulation, stated if the neighborhood’s calls for weren’t met by means of the agitation, he would lead additionally a ‘long march’ from Mumbai to Pune.

“We have shown restraint for too long. While we have no wish to hold the public hostage, reservation is the Maratha community’s right. I appeal to leaders of all political parties to join in the agitation. If our demands not met through agitations, then I will lead a long march from Mumbai to Pune,” he stated on the Raigad Fort from time to time of the 348th coronation ceremony of Shivaji.

Earlier, Mr. Raje carried out rituals and paid tributes to the Maratha warrior king. While lakhs of Shivbhakts (fervent admirers of Shivaji) often congregate on the fort for the event, the continuing pandemic curbs meant solely a handful of company had been current.

His announcement was greeted with approval from Maratha outfits just like the ‘Sakal Maratha Samaj’ and the ‘Chhava Sanghatana.’

“We are warning the State government that the patience of the community is at an end… the State government has prevented lakhs of Shivbhakts from gathering at Raigad. However, let it be known, that if Sambhaji Raje so wishes, it will not take us long to surround the Mantralaya in Mumbai. We will not let MPs and Ministers move around unless they seriously begin to address the issues of the community,” stated Karan Gaykar of the Chhava Sanghatana.

Likewise, Ramesh Kere Patil of the Sakal Maratha Samaj accused each the Uddhav Thackeray-led State authorities and the BJP-led Centre of not doing sufficient to make sure justice for the neighborhood.

Responding to Mr. Raje’s announcement, one other descendent of erstwhile royals Udayanraje Bhosale stated: “He has made his point clear… it pains me that because of this thorny reservation issue, a social divide [between Maratha and backward communities] today exists between different communities who were hitherto co-existing peacefully.”

Welcoming Mr Raje’s agitation, Shiv Sangram chief Vinayak Mete, a BJP ally, stated the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA authorities had to this point confirmed totally ineffectual in reassuring or speedily addressing the anxieties of the Maratha neighborhood after the Supreme Court’s determination.

On Saturday, Mr. Mete led a pro-quota protest in Beed regardless of the administration prohibiting it.