Maratha quota agitation: Protesters burn tyres of Pune-Bengaluru Expressway; traffic hit

Protestors burnt tyre on Pune-Bengaluru Expressway/ PTI

Pro-Maratha quota protestors, in Pune, on Tuesday, burnt tyres on the Pune-Bengaluru Expressway amid the ongoing Maratha quota agitation across Maharashtra. The burning of tyres has affected traffic on the expressway. The Maratha community, have been demanding reservation in government jobs and education under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.

According to a report in PTI, a group of protestors blocked the Pune-Bengaluru Expressway at Navale bridge and sloganeered setting several tires on fire. This action briefly halted the movement of vehicles in both lanes.

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Reportedly, in response to these protests, the police have increased security outside the residences and offices of political leaders from the Maratha community in Pune.

Supporters of the Maratha quota organized various agitations across the city. Unfortunately, in some areas of the state, the Maratha quota agitation has escalated to violence, leading to the vandalism of politicians' homes belonging to the ruling parties. This has resulted in the imposition of a curfew in Dharashiv district and parts of Beed district, due to large-scale violence and arson.

Meanwhile, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange has been on an indefinite fast in support of the reservation demand since October 25 in Antarwali Sarati village, Jalna district.

Earlier today, Jarange said that the community will not accept "incomplete reservation" and that the Maharashtra government should arrange a special session of the state legislature to discuss the issue. Jarange, at a presser he held on Tuesday in Jalna, said Chief Minister Eknath Shinde conversed with him on the phone and assured decision on giving Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas will be taken at a state cabinet meeting later today.

Speaking to the press, he said, "I have spoken to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. I have made clear my stand once again that an incomplete reservation for the Marathas is not acceptable. The government should announce reservations for the Marathas in the entire state. We (Marathas across the state) are brothers and have a blood relation."

He was further quoted by the PTI report as saying, "60-65 per cent of Marathas are already in the ambit of reservation. The government should extend it to the remaining Marathas in the state. For this, the government should call a special session and pass a resolution, accepting the first report of the committee appointed for this purpose and giving (Kunbi) certificates. Those who do not want the certificate will not take them. But those who want it should get it."

With PTI inputs