Maratha Quota Protest: State Cabinet To Accept Shinde Panel's Report; Govt Firm On Violence As Activist Demands Full Reservation

In the wake of the violent Maratha reservation protests that led to arson attacks on politicians' homes, the Maharashtra government has taken a stringent stance.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Tuesday (31 October) that the state would invoke attempt to murder charges against those involved in the arson.

The violence escalated on Monday when agitators set fire to the houses of elected officials, including the residence of Beed MLA Sandeep Kshirsagar of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

The unrest prompted the local administration to suspend internet services in Jalna district to prevent the spread of rumours.

“The government has taken a serious note of the violence. Yesterday in Beed, some people burned down houses of elected representatives, targeted the establishments belonging to a particular community. There will be action," Fadnavis stated, confirming that video evidence was being used to identify the perpetrators.

Activist Manoj Jarange Patil, a prominent figure in the agitation, accused the ruling party of orchestrating the violence.

"We don’t know who burnt the properties. They must have been your own people… BJP is being finished in every state because of people like him (Fadnavis), who keep indulging in such idle talk,” Patil challenged.

Patil also threw down the gauntlet to the government regarding the filing of FIRs, stating, “Since you have taken a decision that will cause unrest in Maharashtra, do whatever you want to do…”

The activist has threatened to escalate the protests, including a sit-in outside the collector's office in Beed and the Superintendent of Police headquarters, if the government harasses any youth from their community.

“If any of our youth gets harassed or booked by police, we will not tolerate it. If the government or administration trouble us, we will let them be in peace,” he warned.

Patil has also put forward a demand for a special assembly session to discuss the reservation for Marathas and the issuance of a blanket Kunbi caste certificate for the community.

"We will not accept half-hearted reservation. The government should provide reservation to all Marathas. Whether they have Kunbi certificate or not, all Marathas should get the benefit of reservation," he conveyed to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a 25-minute phone call.

This comes after the state cabinet on Tuesday decided to formally accept the report submitted by the Justice Shinde committee. This report focuses on addressing the long-standing demand for Maratha reservation and represents a significant step toward finding a resolution.

Further, the state cabinet made a recommendation to the state Backward Commission to undertake necessary surveys and data collection to make the government’s curative petition in the Supreme Court error-free. 

"The state government has also appointed an advisory committee of three retired judges expecting advice to make the petition error-free," 

The state cabinet has also decided to avoid visiting the epicenter of the protests in Antarwali-Sarati village, where Patil is on a fast-unto-death.

This marks a shift from the previous protest in September 2023, when CM Shinde's visit had led to the protesters calling off their fast.

Ministers from both the NCP and Shiv Sena have expressed their support for the government's tough response.

“This cannot be taken lightly. We have to show who runs the state. The government must step in and should not avoid action against those part of the violence,” a minister from the NCP stated, Indian Express reported.

A Shiv Sena minister reportedly mentioned that the government has invited the negotiation team from the protesters' side to Mumbai for talks, indicating a reluctance to visit the protest site.

Meanwhile, the BJP has emphasized the need for the government to maintain order.

“The government must decide as to how much it will bend. We cannot let violence take over the streets… Ultimately, it is the government that is running the administration,” a senior BJP minister said.

As the situation remains tense, the state has extended the offer of security to OBC leaders upon request, and police presence has been increased in sensitive areas. Despite the day's calm in Beed, the district collector has not yet decided on lifting the curfew or restoring internet services.

The protests have had a significant impact on public transport as well, with the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) halting services in several districts.