In a demonstration of growing frustration and disappointment, the convoy of BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule and cabinet minister Chandrakant Patil encountered a sea of black flags and protests by the Khed Taluka Maratha Kranti Morcha in Manchar, Pune. The demonstrators, chanting slogans like ‘Ek Maratha Lakh Maratha,’ raised their voices concerning the longstanding Maratha reservation issue, which remains unresolved.
Maratha Reservation: A Persistent Issue
The demand for Maratha reservation has been a pressing concern in Maharashtra. To draw attention to this issue, the Khed Taluka Maratha Kranti Morcha initiated a hunger strike on October 1 in Rajgurunagar. NCP chief Sharad Pawar expressed solidarity with the protesters by visiting the hunger strike site during his visit to Pune.
A Change of Route Sparks Outrage
The controversy surrounding the Maratha reservation issue took a new turn when Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Chandrakant Patil chose an alternate route via the Rajgurunagar Bypass during their visit to the Shirur Lok Sabha. This decision irked the protesters and further exacerbated their frustration.
Protesters Voice Their Concerns
The protesters gathered along the highway, displaying black cloths and raising their voices against the government’s actions. The use of black flags as a symbol of their dissatisfaction underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding the Maratha reservation issue in the state.
A Lingering Issue
The Maratha reservation issue continues to be a contentious topic, with no clear resolution in sight. Despite protests, demonstrations, and the visit of prominent political figures, the demands of the Maratha community for reservation persist.
The black flags and protests that Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Chandrakant Patil’s convoy encountered in Manchar highlight the unresolved nature of the Maratha reservation issue in Maharashtra. The passionate demands of the Maratha community for reservation persist, underscoring the ongoing tensions surrounding this critical issue.
