NCP chief Sharad Pawar has once again called for a change in the Atrocity Act in the backdrop of protests by the Maratha community across the state.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar has once again called for a change in the Atrocity Act in the backdrop of protests by the Maratha community across the state.
Mr Pawar also refuted allegations by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis that the protests were at the behest of out-of-power Maratha leaders, claiming the youths from the community had taken to the street on their own accord.
Speaking on the sporadic protests by Marathas all over the state, Mr Pawar said, “The morchas are indication of the growing dissent against the BJP-led government in Maharashtra. The government should take a decision on the demand of reservations for the Maratha community soon.”
Pointing to the fact that apart from reservations the Marathas were also pressing for amendments to the SC and ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, Mr Pawar said that it was a social reaction that had its roots in the Kopardi incident. The incident involved a minor who was brutally raped and murdered by three men.
He added that while other states had provided reservations for Marathas, the state of Maharashtra was lagging behind and the government should do something about it immediately.
The Maratha community conducted silent marches in Ahmednagar, Aurangabad, Osmanabad, Jalgaon and Beed which has seen lakhs of members participate. A grand morcha has been planned in Mumbai too.
