The police atrocities that have been alleged in the Maratha reservation protest in Jalna district have escalated into a political issue. Prominent MVA leaders visited the spot and met with the injured on Saturday, and condemned the state government, alleging that the police could not have taken such a drastic action without the directives from the people in power.

The violent incident evoked a strong reaction from the Maratha organisations that have been demanding reservation for the community since many years. Many districts witnessed morchas on Saturday, sporadic events of arson and in some places a badh call was given. People in know said the series of protests have already begun and they would spread across the state.