What is the Maratha Kranti Morcha rally in Mumbai all about

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has promised to consider all demands of the Maratha community seriously

A sea of humanity waving saffron flags thronged Mumbai on Wednesday. The Maratha Kranti Morcha rally brought Maximum City to a standstill with lakhs coming together to fight for the Maratha community. Giving in to their demands, the Maharashtra government has now agreed to consider each of its demands seriously. Here is all you need to know about the rally.

The demands

The Maratha community has four primary demands. Reservation or quota in government jobs and education. The community claims that more than 95 per cent members are socially and educationally backward and has sought reservation.

The community has sought an amendment to the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act) to stop its misuse. There is massive opposition to this demand from the Dalit community who are holding counter-marches across Maharashtra.

Implementation of the Swaminathan Commission on farmers is also a demand. The Maratha Kranti Morcha has sought farm loan waiver to curb farmer suicides. Most farmers in Maharashtra who have committed suicides are from the Maratha community. Demands for guaranteed rate for agricultural produce have also been made.

Finally, the rally is fighting for justice in the Kopardi rape and murder case of a Dalit minor. In July last year, a minor who went missing was found murdered in the district. Her body was mutilated and bloodied. The protestors have demanded the death sentence to the accused in the case.

58th silent protest

Wednesday's rally in Mumbai is the 58th and last of its series. Maratha Kranti Morchas are being held since a year across Maharashtra but Mumbai's rally garnered much attention. Wednesday's rally was exactly a year after the first march was flagged off in Aurangabad. The 'mook morcha' is aimed at creating maximum impact with no inconvenience. Wednesday's rally brought Mumbai to a standstill.

No leader! No slogans! is the moto

Maratha leaders have ensured that the fight remains apolitical. No political party leaders have been allowed to hijack the protests. Even on Wednesday, leaders from various parties including the Shiv Sena were asked to refrain from participating. The silent march does not encourage sloganeering. Volunteers even clean up after the rally to ensure no inconvenience is caused to any one.

Who took part

Apart from community leaders, thousands of doctors, students, women, working professionals, the famous dabbawallahs and government employees took part in Wednesday's march. More than five lakh people are estimated to have taken place in the rally. Schools in South Mumbai were shut on Wednesday after a circular by the state government.

Government relents

The Maharashtra government was forced to relent to the protests. On Wednesday Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the state assembly that a cabinet sub-committee would be formed to consider the demands for reservation by the community. Fadnavis also announced a slew of benefits to students from the community including separate hostels in every district.

OneIndia News