Maratha quota: Agitators blacken posters of CM Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis in Bhiwandi

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On Thursday, the Maratha reservation agitators blacked out the posters of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Bhiwandi. Meanwhile, the Internet services were suspended in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.

On Wednesday, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil had questioned the delay in the implementation of reservations by the CM Eknath Shinde-led government. Patil stated that the political parties are no different as they have a similar bent of mind in this matter.

Manoj Patil said, "Why do they (Maharashtra government) need time? We have been holding our patience but they need to come clean on why they need more time. What will you do with more time? Answer that and we will decide on whether to give more time to you or not."

Patil further asserted that his ongoing Maratha quota protest for the Maratha community would continue till the demand is met.

"We won't step back from our protest unless we get a reservation. I will even go without water. I will not drink a single drop of water (till the demand is met). All parties are the same (on the quota issue). They are no different," the activist said.

On Wednesday, after the all-party meeting, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that everyone had agreed on providing reservations to Marathas and urged activist Patil to maintain peace and cooperate with the government in its efforts.

"I request Manoj Jarange Patil to have faith in the efforts of the government. This protest has started taking a new direction. The incidents of violence that have taken place and are taking place in the state are unjustified and are bringing disrepute to the movement. We strongly reject these incidents. Common people should not feel insecure. I request all to not take law into their own hands and maintain peace and cooperate with the state government," CM Eknath Shinde added.

(with inputs from ANI)