NCP MLA Prakash Solanke's House Vandalised, Set On Fire By Maratha Quota Protesters

The ongoing protests for the Maratha reservation took a violent turn on Monday when several demonstrators set ablaze the home of NCP MLA Prakash Solanke in the Majalgaon area of Beed district in Maharashtra.

The Maratha agitation escalated after activist Manoj Jarange initiated an indefinite fast on October 25 at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district, marking the beginning of the protest's second phase.

"I was inside my home when it was attacked. Fortunately, none of my family or staff were injured. We are all safe but there is a huge loss of property," the NCP lawmaker was quoted by ANI

Visuals shared by ANI depicted a sizable white residence consumed by flames, with a large column of dark smoke billowing from the burning structure.

The protestors also burnt down the parked vehicles in the house. Responding to the incident, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde said, "Manoj Jarange Patil (Maratha reservation activist) should take note of the fact what turn this protest is taking. It is going in the wrong direction."

Shinde has also appealed to maintain peace and not fall prey to attempts to disturb the peace.

Members of the Maratha community have been staging protests seeking reservation in government jobs and education under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.

The agitation intensified after quota activist Jarange sat on an indefinite fast from October 25 at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna as part of the second phase of the protest. On his appeal, many villages have banned the entry of political leaders.

Jarange has announced that fast-unto-death protests will begin in villages across Maharashtra if the state government fails to act on the pending demand of the Maratha community.

The Maharashtra government's stated position is that it is committed to granting reservation to the Maratha community which stands legal scrutiny.