Despite assurances from the Maharashtra government, the Sakal Maratha Samaj, an umbrella body of Maratha groups, has called for a state-wide bandh on Thursday demanding reservation in jobs and education for the Maratha community.
Addressing the media, a leader of the Sakal Maratha Samaj, Amol Jadhavrao said that the state-wide bandh would be observed in a peaceful manner from 8 am to 6 pm. However, the bandh will not be observed in Navi Mumbai.
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Another Maratha faction has given a call to only hold a sit-in outside the Mumbai suburban district collector’s office.
“Due to the planned #Bandh in #Maharashtra, we are anticipating transport disruptions. Passengers are advised to keep extra time in hand while travelling to/from the airport,” IndiGo tweeted.
While urging people to take to the streets and show solidarity for the Maratha reservation cause, the umbrella body has issued a strict 14-point Code of Conduct (CoC), stressing that the agitation should be peaceful.
The CoC clearly underline the dos and don’ts for the protesters and have been thoroughly circulated on WhatsApp and Facebook.
The Maratha bandh is part of their ongoing agitation to demand 16 per cent reservation in education and jobs. They want the government to give in writing a time-bound plan on reservation.
Last month, Maratha Kranti Morcha had taken to streets to press for the community’s demand for reservation. Some of its members had also committed suicide during the protest.
Parts of Maharashtra, especially Kopar khairane and Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai, had witnessed violence during the Maratha quota stir late last month.
Around 20 policemen, including eight officers, were injured in stone-pelting by protesters at Kopar Khairane and Kalamboli. A protester, injured in the violence in Navi Mumbai, had died from injuries.
Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured that his government will provide reservation to Marthas in accordance with law.
ALSO READ: ‘Will provide reservation to Marathas in accordance with law’ says Maharashtra CM
Main points of the CoC
- The protesters should not resort to any extreme steps like suicide. Suicide will not solve the problems. Moreover, now at a time when we have already taken up our cause, it is pointless if we cannot enjoy the fruits of reservation.
- Warns protesters against taking law and order in hands. It stresses that while participating in the bandhs, they should cooperate with police.
- No damage to public or private property. All the local units of the community in their talukas and districts should execute the action plan in accordance to the CoC. It warned the supporters against falling prey to “whisper campaign”.
- Essential services should not be affected, it says.
Across districts Beed, Parbhani, Hingoli, Nanded, Aurangabad, there us a unanimous call for bandh. Every taluka unit of Maratha organisations have meticulously planned to ensure its success emphasising on peace and harmony. There is a clear directives across rural and urban areas across these districts in Marathwada to shun violence.
The bandh will not be observed in Navi Mumbai, due to some sensitive issue. Essential services, schools and colleges have been excluded from the bandh called by us,” Jadhavrao said.
Meanwhile, police officials have also been deployed across the state to contain any unpleasant situation. “Adequate police deployment has been done to ensure peaceful bandh tomorrow,” Manjunath Shinghe, Mumbai Police PRO said.
All departments and affiliated colleges of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad will remain closed today in view of the bandh.