Unrest in Jalna: Police lathi charges protesting members of Maratha community, Raj Thackeray says govt was in wrong

Raj Thackeray/ File Photo

On Friday, September 1, Ambad taluka in Jalna district witnessed tensions as members of the Maratha community - embarked on a hunger strike demanding reservations - were lathi-charged by the police. The police also fired warning shots into the air to disperse the crowd. This action of the administration has drawn condemnation from various quarters.

Many questioned the need for such a heavy-handed approach by the administration. Political leaders and observers called for a thorough probe into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The leaders are of the opinion that the government's response was disproportionate.

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Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray also echoed similar thoughts. In his statement on X (formerly Twitter), he said that historically, the Maratha community's protests for reservations have been peaceful. Given the same, authorities' actions in Jalna raise concerns.

He said, "I have said in many of my meetings that those agitations and marches were conducted in such a peaceful and reasonable manner that the world should take their example. With such a background, what was going to happen in Jalna yesterday that the administration took such an extreme step? The police report will tell, but I am sure that going by the previous history, the protesters did not take any wrong steps. So, it is certain that the government has made a mistake here."

He also pointed out that the larger issue at hand revolved around the question of whether it was feasible to grant reservations to the Maratha community and whether such a move would withstand legal scrutiny. Additionally, the practicality of providing government jobs to the children of Maratha community members in sufficient numbers was called into question by him.

Thackeray questioned, "Is it really possible to give reservations to the Maratha community? Will it hold up in court? Well, how many government jobs are there to give reservation to children of Maratha community?"

While the blame for the events in Jalna falls on the administration, the underlying issues are rooted in the broader socio-economic and political landscape of Maharashtra over the past two decades. Comprehensive, long-term solutions are needed to address these issues effectively, he said.

The politician further said that amidst the blame game and finger-pointing, the people of Maharashtra are looking for concrete actions to address these challenges. It is crucial that both past and present administrations work together to find lasting solutions that benefit the Maratha community and the youth of Maharashtra.

Raj Thackeray urged members of the Maratha community not to succumb to political manipulation or falsehoods in the wake of this incident. He praised the Maratha community's history of peaceful protests and assured them of his party's continued support for their cause.