Maratha Kranti Morcha's Sanjay Lakhe Patil criticises Maharashtra govt's tactics on quota issue

Quota protestors in Mumbai/ Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Maratha Kranti Morcha leader Sanjay Lakhe Patil has chastised the Maharashtra government for calling a special session of the state assembly to discuss the Maratha quota while a curative case is pending in the Supreme Court, reported PTI.

According to the report, Patil accused the state administration of using deceitful techniques, claiming that its efforts to pass quota legislation contradicted the Supreme Court's order. On May 5, 2021, the Supreme Court struck down a law in Maharashtra that granted quotas to the Maratha community in jobs and education, prompting the filing of a curative case.

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"The Maharashtra government is employing deceptive tactics. The state's attempt to enact a law for quota is against the SC ruling," Lakhe Patil claimed.

He also criticised the government's draft notification on 'sage soyare' (blood relatives) awarding Kunbi certificates to qualified members of the Maratha community, calling it misleading. Patil emphasised the need to also consider maternal blood relatives, the report added.

"Our demand is that blood relatives must also be considered from the maternal side," he said.

The report added that Patil expressed doubts about the government's proposal to assign quotas based on a study of 2.5 crore families performed by the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission, raising worries about the fairness and inclusivity of such a policy.

According to PTI, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) stated on Wednesday evening that a special session of the Maharashtra legislature will be held on February 20 to address the Maratha community's demands, particularly the subject of quota.

Manoj Jarange, a Maratha activist, has been on hunger strike since February 10, calling for the convening of such a gathering to address the community's quota demand. According to the CMO statement, the decision to hold the extraordinary session came after deliberations in the state cabinet meeting of Wednesday.

A bandh organised on Wednesday in Beed and Latur districts in support of Jarange's agitation was peaceful, according to officials. Jarange's indefinite fast at his hometown, Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district, entered its sixth day on Wednesday.

Nandkumar Thakur, Beed Superintendent of Police, claimed that the bandh was mainly successful and quiet, with market areas and schools shuttered in the city. There were no unpleasant incidents reported in the district.

The bandh was successfully observed in Latur city, with roads empty and stores, establishments, schools, and colleges closed. Maratha community members congregated at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk to raise slogans in support of their cause.

Jarange's health deteriorated on Wednesday, and he was given intravenous (IV) fluids while sleeping during the protest, according to an activist close to him.