Journalism of Courage
Maratha groups seeking quota in jobs and education called off a day-long bandh in Mahrashtra midway on Wednesday following violence by those who had taken to the streets. In Pic: Maratha Kranti Morcha activists stage protest at Thane, Maharashtra (Express photo by Narendra Vaskar)
Violence marred the Maratha community’s bandh as protesters threw stones at policemen in the neighbouring Navi Mumbai township and Satara district, injuring three personnel. (Express photo by Narendra Vaskar)
In retaliation, the police cane-charged protesters, fired plastic bullets and lobbed tear gas shells at them, an official said.(Express photo by Narendra Vaskar)
Protesters attacked buses, indulged in arson and pelted stones at local trains in several parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai and the adjoining Thane city. In Pic: A stone pelter in action at Vashi sector 17 (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)
The Mumbai-Pune and Mumbai-Goa highways were blocked for hours by the protesters. In Pic: Maratha Kranti Morcha activists stage protest at Mankhurd. (Express photo by Prashant Nadkar)
The pro-reservation groups tried staging a “peaceful” strike in the state, however, several incidents of violence were reported. At least three buses were put on fire and nine others were deflated. In Pic: Maratha Kranti Morcha activists burnt the BEST Bus during protest at Govandi. (Express photo by Prashant Nadkar)
The Maratha Kranti Morcha had given the call for the bandh, demanding an apology from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for alleging that some members from the community were planning violence at Pandharpur town in Solapur district. (Express photo by Prashant Nadkar)
The protesters had threatened to gherao the Chief Minister in Pandharpur and stop him from performing puja on Ashadi Ekadashi. However, Fadnavis stayed away from Pandharpur and instead worshipped the deity at his residence. (Express photo by Narendra Vaskar)
Quotas for Marathas, a politically influential community that constitutes around 30 per cent of the state’s population, has been a hugely contentious issue. (Express photo by Narendra Vaskar)
The community leaders had earlier taken out several rallies in various districts to highlight their demands. (Express photo by Prashant Nadkar)
Sion Panvel highway was blocked for several hours during the bandh at Vashi in Mahrashtra. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)
Two years ago, the Maratha community had taken to streets across Maharashtra holding silent marches and demanding quota in jobs. In Pic: Police in action against the stone pelters at Vashi. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)
The Maratha leaders want the government to give them OBC status and not reservation because any quota, beyond the existing 50 per cent, would be difficult to implement.(Express photo by Narendra Vaskar)
On the other hand, if the Marathas are granted OBC status, they would qualify for the existing OBC quotas. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)
In a scheduled recruitment to 72,000 government jobs, Fadnavis had promised that the government would keep 16 per cent positions reserved for the Marathas. “There would be no injustice meted out to the Maratha community.” (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)
