Pro-reservation outfits of Maratha community burn a vehicle after clash with the police personnel in Aurangaba... Read More

MUMBAI: To press their demand of 16% reservation and to protest against the death of a Maratha youth in Aurangabad, the Maratha Kranti Morcha has announced bandh in Mumbai and adjoining areas of Navi Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad on Wednesday.

Maratha organisations have exempted essential services like hospitals, water supply, ambulance services, fire brigade and also schools and colleges including school buses from the bandh.

A meeting of convenors of few districts was held at Dadar Shivaji Mandir auditorium on Tuesday to decide the action plan of protest.

Vinod Patil, one of the conveyors who attended the meeting said that the Thiyya Andolan will continue in all other districts at various chowks and Tehsil office across the state. “We do not want to disrupt the routine life of common people, it will be a protest in democratic way,” said Patil.

When asked about the state government invitation to discuss the issue Patil said, “Our demands have not changed. The key demand is a 16% reservation to the Maratha community in government job and education. So there is no question of discussing the issue again and again,” added Maratha leader.

“As a parent or guardian, we appeal government to announce the solutions for our demands. There is no need for more meetings or discussions,” said Patil. On Tuesday there was bandh in other parts of Maharashtra which witnessed violence in many areas, especially Aurangabad, where police was assaulted and vehicles torched. Following these incidents, Maratha groups have appealed the community to observe bandh in a peaceful manner without resorting to violence.

However, there are chances of rail roko and rasta roko on few places. Auto, taxi will not be allowed to ply on road and shops and establishments may be shut forcefully. The morcha which was peaceful and organised so far, has turned violent now after aggressive splinter groups took matters in their own hands.

“This is the anger towards government for not keeping their promises and the aggression was escalated after the Aurangabad incident where a 28-year-old farmer, who was participating in the ongoing agitation, was washed away after he jumped into the Godavari river from a bridge on Monday afternoon,” said a convenor.

