Violence continues in Maharashtra’s Jalna as protesters seeking Maratha quota burn down vehicles

On Friday, the police had to resort to firing tear gas shells and lathicharge following a clash with the protesters. While around 20 protesters were injured during the clash at Antarwali Sarathi village in Ambad tehsil, the police claimed as many as 37 police personnel were injured, including an additional SP as the protesters pelted stones and torched four police vehicles.

Over the last few days, hundreds of protesters, led by Manoj Jarange, a local Maratha leader, have been sitting on a hunger strike at Antarwali Sarathi village demanding reservation for the Maratha community in education and government jobs.

According to the police, the incident took place between 6 pm and 8 pm on Friday. “The protesters suddenly turned violent and started pelting stones at us injuring some of our personnel. Many protesters also sustained injuries,” an officer said, adding that 37 policemen, including an additional SP and two deputy SPs and 32 constables. “Four private vehicles belonging to the policemen were also torched by the protesters,” the officer said.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has ordered an inquiry into the incident on Friday. Shinde took to social media platform X (earlier Twitter) to say: “The incident of lathicharge on the Maratha reservation protesters is unfortunate. I have taken information of the incident from the district collector and the police superintendent and have ordered an inquiry into the matter. I appeal to the people to maintain peace.”

Later, Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government has requested the protesters to withdraw their protest. “We are taking up the reservation matter seriously and we are taking up the case in the Supreme Court. The issue is such that it cannot be resolved in a day,” he said. Calling the incident unfortunate, he reiterated that after the protesters started pelting stones, the police had to resort to lathicharge.

The issue has taken a political turn with Opposition leaders across parties slamming the state government. NCP chief Sharad Pawar criticised Fadnavis over the issue stating that he could not handle the situation properly.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also slammed the government over the police action against the protesters saying the lathicharge is outrageous and that it has become impossible to protest for one’s own rights in Maharashtra. Reacting to the lathicharge, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said the government must vacate the chair if it cannot give reservation to Marathas.

Sanjay Raut, the chief spokesperson of Shiv Sena (UBT), also said: “The orders for the cruel lathicharge must have been given by Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Without his orders, the police would not go to extreme levels. What wrong did the protestors do? They were only protesting peacefully, yet they were lathicharged. This fire will fan across the state…Fadnavis has no moral right to continue in office.”

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