In a recent incident that unfolded in Maharashtra's Jalna, tensions flared during a protest demanding Maratha reservation rights, resulting in several injuries, including police officers. The turmoil stemmed from a hunger strike organized by activists, led by Manoj Jarange Patil, who had been advocating for Maratha community reservations in education and government jobs since August 29.
The situation escalated on Friday when authorities attempted to relocate Jarange to a hospital on medical advice. This move led to clashes, with protesters pelting stones at the police, private vehicles, and state transport buses. To disperse the agitated crowd, police resorted to baton charges and tear gas, and there were claims of warning shots being fired into the air, NDTV reported
The subsequent shutdown, or 'bandh,' called by the Maratha Kranti Morcha in Beed, remained largely peaceful, although there were isolated incidents of stone-pelting in Majalgaon. Notably, protesters organized a peaceful road blockade in Gevarai, where two buses were set on fire the previous night, prompting route adjustments for Parli-bound buses as a precautionary measure, PTI reported.
Following the violence, over 360 individuals have been booked by the police for their alleged involvement. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde appealed for calm and announced the formation of a high-level committee to investigate the unrest. Shinde emphasized the state government's commitment to providing Maratha community reservations, recalling previous efforts during the tenure of former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, which were ultimately overturned by the Supreme Court.
Expressing concern over the use of force against protesters, both the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) condemned the incident. Uddhav Thackeray, Chief of Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar, Chief of the Nationalist Congress Party, are expected to visit the affected village in the evening.
This incident resurfaces the ongoing debate surrounding Maratha community reservations, which were initially granted under the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Act of 2018 but were invalidated by the Supreme Court in 2021 for exceeding the 50% reservation limit established by the 102nd Amendment of the Constitution.
