Maratha quota violence: Police should not have used force on protesters, I apologise, says Dy CM Fadnavis

He was addressing a press conference with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, after a meeting of the Cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservation.

With the state government under attack over the police action, Ajit Pawar had said on Saturday, a day after the protests, that strict action would be taken against police personnel who used excessive force, and a high-level committee would probe the allegations against the police.

On Monday, Ajit Pawar challenged the Opposition to prove its allegation that the order to the police to use force came from Mantralaya.

Sources said the police action on Marathas, despite Ajit Pawar being the Deputy CM, has dented his reputation as one of the strongest Maratha leaders in the state. His inclusion in the BJP-Shiv Sena government was seen as an effort to woo Maratha youth.

“I was unwell for two days and hence was not seen at public functions. I am stating this to avoid any speculation… If anybody is claiming that the lathicharge orders were given from Mantralaya, then that person should prove the allegation. (If proved) we will quit politics. If not, that person should quit,” Ajit Pawar said.

Asked about polarisation of Marathas and OBCs, Shinde said nobody should play politics over the issue. “The people of all communities and religions live peacefully in Maharashtra. I sense that some people are uncomfortable since our government came to power. But I appeal for peace,” he said.

The CM and Deputy CMs also targeted the Opposition for seeking “political benefits out of a tragedy”. “A committee of additional chief secretary will examine the old records in Marath-wada and will submit its report in one month on the issue of Kunbi certificates to the Maratha community,” Shinde said.

In May, the state government had appointed a panel headed by Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) to make recommendations on including Marathas of Marathwada region in the Kunbi (peasant) category, which will recognise them as OBCs.

It was argued that earlier, being a part of the Hyderabad province, the Marathas in the region were counted as Kunbis. After the region became part of Maharashtra, the community was counted as Marathas.

The 11-member panel was to submit its report within three months, but it was delayed.