Maratha Supporters Block Katraj Chowk, Demand Reservation Action

Maratha community members blocked Katraj Chowk in Pune on Wednesday, staging a rasta roko and sit-in protest in support of activist Manoj Jarange's ongoing agitation for Maratha reservation. The protest came on the fifth day of Jarange's indefinite hunger strike, which began on August 29 at Antarwali Sarati.

The protesters gathered at Katraj Chowk, raised slogans in support of Jarange, and demanded that the Maharashtra government immediately take concrete steps to fulfil his demands. A large gathering of supporters carrying saffron flags, wearing saffron caps, and holding banners in support of Jarange's hunger strike blocked the road at Katraj Chowk.

Reports on Wednesday said Jarange's health had deteriorated during the fast, raising concern among his supporters and prompting Maratha groups in different parts of Maharashtra to organise protests and road blockades. Speaking during the protest, Rahul Kumar, one of the participants, said that the government should request Manoj Jarange not to go on hunger strike again and grant reservation.

The protesters demanded the implementation of measures that would enable eligible members of the Maratha community to obtain Kunbi certificates based on historical records and gazette evidence, thereby allowing them to access reservation benefits available under the OBC category. Jarange has been pressing the government to act on these issues, along with other demands connected with the Maratha reservation movement.

The government has prepared a draft concerning the reservation issue and asked Jarange to state his position on it. Ministers Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Uday Samant said the government was awaiting his response before proceeding further. Meanwhile, the government has reportedly given Jarange a one-day deadline to clarify his position on the draft, adding another layer of tension to the ongoing agitation.

The Katraj mobilisation also comes at a time when a separate OBC agitation has begun from Pune district. OBC activist Laxman Hake and his supporters launched a ‘Chalo Mumbai’ agitation from Daund, opposing moves they fear could affect existing OBC reservation benefits.

The Maratha community has been demanding reservation for a long time, and the issue has been a major point of contention in Maharashtra politics. The community claims that they are economically and socially backward and deserve reservation benefits. The Maharashtra government has been trying to find a solution to the issue, but so far, no concrete steps have been taken.

The protest at Katraj Chowk is a sign of the growing frustration among the Maratha community, and it remains to be seen how the government will respond to their demands. The issue of Maratha reservation is complex and sensitive, and it requires a careful and nuanced approach. The government needs to take into account the concerns of all stakeholders and find a solution that is fair and just.

In conclusion, the protest at Katraj Chowk is a significant development in the ongoing Maratha reservation agitation. The government needs to take immediate action to address the concerns of the Maratha community and find a solution to the issue. The fate of the agitation and the future of the Maratha community hang in the balance, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days.