Maharashtra Dy CM Fadnavis says sorry for police action in Jalna

CM Eknath Shinde and Dy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar at the meeting on Monday. Pic/X

Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Monday tendered an apology on behalf of the government for the police action in Jalna against Maratha protesters demanding quota and dismissed the Opposition's allegation that the Mantralaya ordered the lathi charge.

The statement came at a media conference addressed jointly by Fadnavis, CM Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Monday after they met to resolve the issue. Shinde announced the suspension of the sub-divisional police officer who is understood to have given the orders to use force. The district police chief was sent on compulsory leave on Sunday. Additional Director General of Police Sanjay Saxena has been asked to probe the incident.

Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Uddhav Thackeray responded by demanding the resignation of the ruling government's three main leaders. File pic

"If you prove that any of us gave the orders to use force, we will quit politics," Ajit challenged the Opposition. His resolve was endorsed by Fadnavis and Shinde even as the protesters, including their leader Manoj Jarange Patil, continued their fast, demanding a final declaration from the government.

Leaders from the Opposition including Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Nana Patole, Vijay Wadettiwar, Ambadas Danve and Raj Thackeray visited Antarwali Sarati, a small town near Ambad, to show solidarity with Marathas. Leaders from the ruling party - Udayaraje Bhosale and Girish Mahajan - were among the government representatives who tried to convince Jarange to end his fast. Following police action, some districts observed a bandh on Monday.

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The trio appealed to the protesters not to fall for the politicisation of the protest and promised to expedite securing a Maratha quota, that had been scrapped by the apex court. Till such time that the quota gets approved, Maratha students would continue to get facilities that are now available to their Other Backward Class (OBC) counterparts, said CM Shinde.

‘Never used force as CM'

Fadnavis said when he was CM, some 2,000 quota agitations were held. "But we never used force. And there was no reason this time to use force. Firstly, I, on behalf of the government, apologise to the people who were injured in the lathi charge. An attempt has been made to create a narrative that someone in Mantralaya had directed the police to use force. But all leaders (who have made the allegations) know that such decisions are taken at the local level by the Superintendent of Police (SP) and deputy SP, who don't need to ask for permission," he said.

CM Eknath Shinde (right) announced the suspension of sub-divisional police officer who is understood to have given the orders to use force

"Now, I ask who gave the order when 113 Gowari tribal people were killed in the police action? Did it come from Mantralaya? When some farmers died in the police firing in Maval (near Pune), did the then CM send instructions? Whatever happened in Jalna was wrong, but the people know the politics behind blaming the government for it," added Fadnavis, who bore the brunt of the attack by Opposition and protesters.

The deputy CM asked Uddhav what stopped him from promulgating an ordinance to give quota when he was CM. "You have demanded an ordinance immediately. You were the CM for 13 months after the quota (granted by the BJP government in 2018) was scrapped on May 5, 2021," he said, recalling the various OBC-like welfare schemes and projects started for the Maratha community.

‘Fault of MVA govt'

CM Shinde and deputy CM Ajit, who were members of the Maratha quota high-powered committee in the MVA government, blamed the then committee chairman Ashok Chavan for spoiling the quota case in the Supreme Court (SC). "The chairman held all powers. We may have made many suggestions, but accepting them was the chairman's prerogative," said Ajit, who also cleared the air about his disappearance during the last two days. He said he was unwell and recuperating at home. "There have been attempts to create confusion and defame the government. Violence of any kind is not good for the state. Please end the agitation and take a break ahead of the festival season," Ajit appealed. Shinde said a delegation of senior ministers would meet protest leader Jarange on Monday evening to appeal to him to withdraw the fast.

Uddhav hits back

Former CM Uddhav responded by demanding the resignation of the ruling government's three main leaders. He said he pitied Fadnavis's knowledge about the ordinance, because of which, he felt that the deputy CM was not even worthy of strolling around Mantralaya. "What I said was about the Centre which can overrule the SC. The Union government has called for a special session of the Parliament and I demand that such an ordinance be passed during this session."

Uddhav also attacked Ajit for blaming him for the failure in the SC. "It's alright you if you say so, but then you three take credit for the police atrocities and resign. I never used police force, but this government has always shown its intent of being brutal. It was seen in Barsu where people were beaten up inside their homes."

Monday's meeting

>> It has been decided to check the Nizam era records of caste registration. Whether the Marathas from Marathwada which merged with Maharashtra, were actually kunbis (who get the OBC concession in Maharashtra)

>> An officer of the rank of additional chief secretary-led committee will work on the above brief.