Maharashtra bandh: Ready for discussion with Maratha community on reservation, says CM Devendra Fadnavis

As Maratha reservation protest escalated and turned violent, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said the government is ready for discussion on the demands of Maratha outfits seeking quota in jobs and education.

Maratha Kranti Morcha protesters vadalise a poster of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during their statewide bandh in Thane. Photo: PTI

MUMBAI: As Maratha reservation protest escalated and turned violent on Wednesday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government is ready for discussion on the demands of Maratha outfits seeking quota in jobs and education. Fadnavis said his government has taken the issue of reservation seriously and that it is ready to talk to the members of Maratha community. "The government has taken cognisance of protest by the Maratha community and has taken several decisions. We are ready to talk to them. The Government had made a law for reservation to the community but that was stayed by Bombay high court," the chief minister said. "We are waiting for the court's decision to come. Certain parties are politicizing the issue which they shouldn't," he added. Organisations such as the Maratha Kranti Morcha and Sakal Maratha Samaj called for a Bandh in Mumbai and surrounding areas on Wednesday to press the demand of reservation for the Maratha community in government jobs and education. The agitation has spread to other parts of the state too. The Bandh was called off in Mumbai at 3 pm but in other areas, the shutdown will continue, the groups said. Protesters attacked buses, indulged in arson and pelted stones at local trains in several parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai and the adjoining Thane city. Three policemen, including a Superintendent of Police, suffered injuries in stone pelting. The Mumbai-Pune and Mumbai-Goa highways were blocked for hours by the protesters.