Mumbai: The Maratha community organised morchas in different districts to highlight their demands. These morchas set an example of discipline and solidarity of the people. It was appreciated by the police and various agencies across the section. But the morcha organised in Mumbai ruined its image.
The Marathas were holding silent morchas for their demands including punishment of culprits in the Kopardi rape and murder case, quota in education and government jobs, amendment in SC, ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act) to stop its misuse, loan waiver to farmers to curb suicides and guaranteed rate for agricultural produce. Till date, there were 57 morchas were held in various districts and all of them set an example of how the morchas and protests should be.
On Wednesday, many unwanted elements participated in the morcha and were shouting slogans, even after frequent warning from the volunteers. It was observed that some political activists also participated in the morcha and they were more activists than Marathas. Hence, they refused to listen to the volunteers.
The protesters participating in previous morchas never teased or harmed others. On Wednesday, it was seen that many youngsters were enjoying the fun. Many of them reached the Chowpatty even before the morcha concluded.
“Youngsters who were not obeying the rules were not associated with the Maratha Morcha or belong to our community,” said one of the co-coordinators on the condition of anonymity.
