Group stages protests in Mumbai, Solapur, Nagpur; demands quota cap at 50 per cent

According to the group, reservation policy should be based only on economic criteria for upliftment of socially and economically backward classes irrespective of caste or religion. It also called for an overhaul of caste-based reservation policy by setting up a neutral panel to review it on a timely basis.

“Equal opportunities in education and employment should be available to everyone. Hence, reservation should not exceed 50 per cent and timelines should be defined to periodically review and reduce it gradually to zero once the goal of upliftment is achieved. A review committee should be in place to penalise fraudsters who avail of reservation benefits by obtaining certificates through fake documents. The reservation policy should be reviewed every five years to ensure its benefits reach the poor and needy,” said Sudha Shenoy, one of the convenors of the protest in Mumbai’s Azad Maidan.

A meeting was held on July 14 between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and members of the group to discuss the demands. “During our meeting the CM agreed on a few action points but government resolutions are awaited. Till then, our protest will continue,” said Shenoy.

In Nagpur, the rally was taken from Yashwant stadium to Kasturchand Park, where a public meeting was held. In Solapur, the rally was taken from Dutta Chowk to Chaar Putla Chowk.