PM Modi must pass resolution in Parliament for Maratha quota: Community outfit leader

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi must get a resolution passed in Parliament to ensure Marathas get reservation that stands the legal test, Maratha Mawala Sanghatana founder Manikrao Shinde said in Latur on Thursday, reported news agency PTI.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has assured he would take all efforts to ensure the community gets quota, he said, adding that ruling alliance leaders will lose their (poll) deposits if this promise is not fulfilled, reported PTI.

"The Maratha community will get long-lasting reservation only after a resolution is passed in Parliament under the leadership of Narendra Modi. Otherwise, the reservation declared by the state government will not stand in courts," Shinde claimed in a press conference, reported PTI.

His organisation will submit memorandums on the quota issue to Union ministers Raosaheb Danve, Bhagwat Karad and as well as other ruling alliance MLAs and MPs, Shinde said, reported PTI.

He rued the delay in the construction of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj memorial at sea despite the foundation stone of the project being laid by PM Modi, reported PTI.

Shinde said sugar factory authorities must build a hostel for 1000 students belonging to the farm community, reported PTI.

"If our demands are not met, we will start an agitation," the Maratha Mawala Sanghatana founder warned, reported PTI.

Earlier, Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange has asserted that innocent Marathas unrelated to the violence in Beed are being unfairly targeted, and he has warned of community protests if this perceived injustice persists.

Speaking in his native village, Antarwali Sarati, in Maharashtra's Jalna district, Jarange, recently discharged after a 10-day hospital stay following his second hunger strike for Maratha reservation, stated that despite engaging in peaceful and democratic agitation, Marathas are facing harassment and police actions.

Jarange revealed that discussions with the government have covered a time-bound program and the distribution of Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas. He alleged that individuals not involved in the violence during the Maratha quota agitation in Beed are facing unwarranted harassment, with authorities compiling a list of 7,000 people accused of participating in the violence. The activist highlighted instances of public representatives' houses being set on fire in Beed city and district during the earlier agitation this month.

"We have had a dialogue with the government about a time-bound programme and distribution of (Kunbi caste) certificates to Marathas. We have also spoken about the injustice being done to our people in various parts of the state. The community is agitating peacefully and in a democratic manner. But they are being harassed and people are being taken away by the police," Jarange said.

"Irrespective of the pressure to suppress the agitation, we will not stop. If injustice is done to people, the Maratha community in Beed will take to the streets. We will agitate peacefully but stop the injustice being done to us," he said.

(With inputs from PTI)