Maratha quota leaders to hold statewide protests on August 9

Maratha quota leaders on Wednesday said that community members will hold stern protests across Maharashtra on August 9 for the unfulfilled promises made by the government to the Maratha community. They added that they have decided to put an end to all communication as a part of the protest.

"The state government has not only failed to implement its promises made to the Maratha community before the 2014 assembly elections and in the last four years, but also delayed the procedure of withdrawing police complaints filed against the Maratha youth across the state," said Vinod Pokharkar, a leader of the Maratha Kranti Morcha.

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Pokharkar, while accusing Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other leaders of not keeping their quota promise, claimed that at least 2,000 youths were arrested by the police under serious charges after the strong protest held in several areas across the state in July.

"With the August 9 protest imminent, the state government ensured that hearing on the cases against the Maratha youth would take place after August 9. This means that these youths will remain behind bars till Thursday," he alleged.

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Pokarkar further claimed that not a single police station has received the state government’s letter asking them to withdraw charges against the youths who were arrested.

Earlier on June, Maharashtra CM Fadnavis had announced that the government would take back non-serious charges against the Maratha youngsters.

Meanwhile, another leader Bhaiyya Patil said several meetings have been scheduled in some districts to plan out the strategy for the 9 August protests.

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"We will finalise the agitation plan in these meetings. We want to show the strength of the community to the government," Patil said.

The Maratha community has been protesting for their demand for reservation in jobs and education under the Other Backward Class (OBC) category.

Meanwhile, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday appealed to the Maratha community to avoid violence or commit suicide over their demand.