The Maratha Kranti Morcha (MKM) seems to adopt newer modes of protest to get the community’s demand for reservation heard, along with its changed stance on the nature of the demand. Between 2016 and 2023, what began as a socio-economic issue that consolidated Marathas under MKM has channelised into a political movement with the reservation issue becoming a tool for mainstream parties to settle scores against each other. On Sunday, Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil warned the government not to test the community members’ patience and find a solution to the vexed problem. Patil, who began his second hunger strike on October 25 has become a cause of concern because of his failing health. Several Maratha activists have expressed solidarity with Patil and held candlelight protests in Sangli, Beed, Nanded, Jalna, Indapur, Pandharpur, Kolhapur and Parbhani on Sunday. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told reporters, “It is my ardent appeal that he (Jarange Patil) should not ignore his health. After all, life is precious. Those who are with him should also ensure his health does not fail.” “CM Eknath Shinde is closely monitoring the Maratha reservation issue. He has already reassured the government’s commitment to reservation. Jarasange Patil should show trust in the CM,” he added. The first Maratha reservation protest took place in 1982, led by then Mathadi Kamgar Labour Union leader Annasaheb Patil. He, however, ended his life, disillusioned with then Congress government’s lack of response. The Maratha reservation issue went to the backburner since then, till 2016. On Sunday, Annasaheb Patil’s son and Mathadi Kamgar Labour Union leader Narendra Patil said, “My father sacrificed his life for the rights of poor Marathas. It is my sincere appeal to the government to find a lasting solution.” The turning point in the Maratha agitation was the alleged rape and killing of a teenage girl from the community in Kopardi village by four youths. The outrage over the incident led the community to organise a mega protest rally on August 9, 2016, at Sambhajinagar (then Aurangabad). It was a “muk morcha” (silent rally) in which participants wore black clothes and there was no slogans or speeches. At the end of the rally four persons handed over their charter of demands to the district collector. Under MKM the silent protest was replicated at every district in Maharashtra and 58 rallies were held. The MKM’s demands included immediate action against the perpetrators of Kopardi crime, implentation of Swaminathan Commission report for higher renumeration to farmers, Maratha reservation and loan waiver to farmers. MKM coordinator Rajendra Kondhare says, “We never endorsed any violence. Our objective was to raise our demand and get justice for the community. And this was evident throughout our silent rallies. Even now, it is our endeavor to ensure a solution to Maratha reservation issue.”
