Nagpur: Continuing with their massive stir to press for the reservation, Maratha agitation is back with rejuvenated force, this time in Nagpur. However there is slight twist in their protest this time. The Marathas have joined forces to voice their concern rather silently. Yes, people from Maratha community will take out a silent march on Tuesday in Nagpur. This move is a part of their statewide mobilisation to press for demands like reservation in jobs and education for their community. Besides, the Marathas also want to restrict the misuse of SC/ST Atrocities Act 1989.
The protest march, organised by Sakal Maratha Samaj will start around 10 AM from Reshimbagh ground in South-Eastern part of the city and culminate at Kasturchand Park, a member of the erstwhile royal family Raje Mudhoji Bhosale said today.
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Friday 14 Feb. 2025
Differences cropped up!
Also, cracks seem to have developed between two factions of the community, with the Maratha Kunbis, a sect predominant in Vidarbha region, being excluded from the agitation. Now, the Sakal Maratha-Kunbi Samaj has announced December 14 as the date for its massive march. Bhosale however denied any rift of the sort between the two sects.
Members of the Sakal Maratha Samaj also downplayed the divide in the community.
“The December 14 rally is a statewide one and we too will participate in it. The community is united,” an office-bearer said.
City police on toes
The city police and the district administration are busy in keeping a tight vigil for tomorrow’s morcha. According to sources, clubbing and naming the banner as Maratha-Kunbi Samaj march was apparently the deal breaker between the two factions. There is one section of Marathas (essentially the warrior clan) which has nothing to do with the Kunbi community, which is primarily into agriculture as its occupation, they said. The Maratha-Kunbi is a mix typical to Vidarbha region where the two seem to have assimilated. Over six decades ago, this happened with the initiatives of stalwarts like late Panjabrao Deshmukh, the Agriculture Minister in the then Jawahralal Nehru Cabinet, allowing ‘roti-beti’ (exchanging food and allowing marriages) relations between the two.
