Pune: Despite Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ assurance to complete all necessary procedures for reservation by November-end, the Maratha community is not in the mood to listen to anything from the government side. The community leaders have declared that agitation will not stop till reservation is granted.
On August 9, the Maratha Kranti Morcha announced a statewide agitation to show their strength again. Following Fadnavis announcing on a government channel about giving reservations to Maratha community on Sunday, Maratha Kranti Morcha declared they are not satisfied with the Fadnavis government and they decided to continue their agitation till they get reservation.
Speaking to Sakal Times, Morcha cooordinator Prashant Bhosale said, “Now the community has taken charge of the agitation. They want results from the government. We have all the information about the time required to get reservation. We are in a mood to agree to three months’ deadline. The government should show some constructive steps. The community is not taking back its agitation, it will continue till we get reservation. Now, government is politicising issue and creating rifts in different communities.”
Another coordinator Pramod Adsul said, “The State is creating rift among communities by issuing different statements. The chief minister said they will start mega recruitment after Maratha reservation decision. Our objection is that the government has not issued any notification about recruitment. Now they are announcing stopping recruitment due to Maratha reservation. It means other communities will see Maratha community as a hurdle in their recruitment. It shows that government’s intentions are not clear.”
Adsul further said, “On August 7, the government will present their side in the High Court. If they give any written time-bound programme for Maratha reservation, we will meet and study the affidavit and then decide about agitation. But, we are not going to stop our struggle. We have waited for more than 30 years. Now we want result within the deadline.”
Santosh Shinde, Sambhaji Brigade District President said, “The Chief Minister’s speech is nothing but passing time. Why does the government need three months of time? They have all necessary machinery and they can use it if they have willpower to give reservation to Marathas. If the government announces in December, the code of conduct will be in force and government will get time and reason to delay the issue. So, we don’t want any delay.”
