Maharashtra: Congress suspends 'Jan Samvad Yatra' in Marathwada after police lathi-charge on Maratha quota agitators

File Photo/PTI

The Maharashtra Congress has temporarily suspended its 'Jan Samvad Yatra' scheduled in all districts of Marathwada from Sunday due to escalating tensions in the region following a police lathi-charge on Maratha quota protesters in Jalna district.

Senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan announced the suspension of the yatra in a statement on social media platform X. He mentioned that new dates for the yatra would be announced in the future.

Chavan, who was slated to lead the 'Jan Samvad Yatra' in Marathwada, cited the prevailing situation and police lathi-charge as the reasons for the temporary suspension.

The unrest in Jalna erupted when police resorted to baton-charging and tear gas shelling to disperse a violent mob at Antarwali Sarathi on the Dhule-Solapur road. The protesters were demonstrating against the authorities' attempt to relocate a man on a hunger strike to the hospital. Their agitation was centered on seeking reservation for the Maratha community.

The clashes resulted in injuries to around 40 policemen and several protesters. Numerous buses were also set on fire during the violence. Over 350 individuals have been booked for their alleged involvement in these incidents.

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Last month, the Maharashtra Congress unveiled plans for the 'Jan Samvad Yatra' from September 3 to 12. The objective was to engage with the people, energize the party cadre, and shed light on what they termed as the 'failures' of the BJP government at the Centre.

State Congress Chief Nana Patole had outlined that party leaders would travel at various levels, including taluka, village, and city, across all regions during the yatra to "highlight the failures of the (BJP) government and spread the message of the opposition alliance."

While Nana Patole was set to lead the yatra in the east Vidarbha region, Congress group leader in the state legislative council Satej Patil was slated to participate in the march in Kolhapur in western Maharashtra.