Maratha Quota Protest Escalates: Attacks on MLA Residences, Sena MPs Quit; Govt To Talk To Activist

Amid an escalation in the Maratha quota protest, legislators in Maharashtra encountered backlash as protestors targeted their residences and workplaces on Monday.

Additionally, two Lok Sabha MPs from the ruling Shiv Sena party resigned in solidarity with the reservation demand. Meanwhile, the state government is striving to find a resolution to the deadlock.

During the quota protests, angry demonstrators set fire to and vandalized the homes or offices of three MLAs, including two from the NCP and one from the BJP.

They also targeted a municipal council building and caused disruptions to road traffic in various areas of the state. The police confirmed that no casualties were reported.

Violent incidents and cases of arson have been reported from the districts of Beed and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in central Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange is continuing his indefinite fast in support of the reservation demand at a village in Jalna district.

On the 6th day of the fast, Jarange's health took a turn for the worse as he collapsed on the stage. The people in attendance quickly came to his aid, urging him to drink a few sips of water, which he did.

In Majalgaon town, Beed district, the house of NCP MLA Solanke was set ablaze and a group of quota agitators threw stones at it, according to the police. This incident occurred late in the morning.

In addition, the group set fire to a car that was parked at Solanke's residence. This act was prompted by the circulation of an audio clip in which the MLA allegedly discussed the Maratha quota agitation and made a subtle remark about the fasting quota activist Jarange.

It remains uncertain whether the Majalgaon MLA, who is a member of the NCP faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, was present at the residence during the incident that took place around 11 am.

In the audio clip, Solanke was allegedly heard saying that "the issue (the demand for reservation and the ultimatum of 40 days given to the government for its implementation by October 24) has become a child's game.

In an apparent jab at Jarange, Solanke remarked that someone who had never even contested a gram panchayat election had suddenly become a "smart person".

Solanke, speaking to a news channel, disclosed that he was present in Majalgaon at the time of the incident. He described how agitators had surrounded his residence, showing no inclination to listen.

They had resorted to pelting stones at his house and setting vehicles ablaze.

Despite the chaos, Solanke expressed his support for the Maratha reservation demand, emphasizing his close ties with the Maratha community as a four-time elected Maratha MLA.

A group of Maratha reservation activists, who had previously dispersed from the legislator's home following an arson attack, proceeded to set fire to the first floor of the Majalgaon Municipal Council building and engage in acts of vandalism, according to a police official.

Armed with wooden sticks and stones, the group initially damaged the building's window panes before proceeding to the first floor where they set it ablaze, resulting in the destruction of furniture, as reported by the official.

According to Beed SP Nand Kumar Thakur, after setting fire to Prakash Solanke's residence, the mob proceeded to the municipal council of Majalgaon where they set fire to the first floor of the building.

The police arrived promptly and evacuated the people from the civic office, ensuring that no one was injured.

In the evening, a group of Maratha quota activists entered the residential premises and office of NCP MLA Sandeep Kshirsagar in Beed city and set them on fire, according to an official.

The police quickly responded and dispersed the crowd that had gathered outside the MLA's residence and office. Additionally, a nearby hotel in Beed city was also set ablaze by the Maratha activists.

Protesters caused disruptions on two major highways in Maharashtra. They blocked a section of the Samruddhi Expressway in Jalna, leading to a heavy traffic jam on the Mumbai-bound lane. Additionally, they blocked the Solapur-Akkalkot Highway by placing burning tires on the road.

Supporters of the Maratha quota, armed with wooden sticks, vandalized the office of BJP MLA Prashant Bamb in Gangapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, according to the police.

They caused damage to the window panes and furniture inside the office of the ruling party legislator. Two individuals have been detained for questioning.

In a show of solidarity with the Maratha reservation demand, Shiv Sena MPs from Nashik and Hingoli, both loyal to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, have resigned.

Hingoli MP Hemant Patil submitted his resignation to the Lok Sabha secretariat in New Delhi on Monday, while Nashik MP Hemant Godse sent his resignation letter to CM Shinde.

Patil stated that since the Lok Sabha Speaker was not present in his office, he submitted his resignation letter to the office secretary and has received an acknowledgement.

Meanwhile, in Nashik, Shiv Sena MP Godse drafted his resignation letter after Maratha protesters observing a fast asked him to clarify his stance on the issue.

He sent the resignation letter to CM Shinde, urging him to grant reservation to the Maratha community as soon as possible.

During a conversation with journalists in Mumbai, Shinde announced that 11,530 old records containing references to the Kunbi caste will be replaced with new certificates starting from Tuesday.

The Kunbis, a community primarily engaged in agriculture, are classified as Other Backward Classes (OBC) in Maharashtra and are entitled to reservation benefits in education and government employment.

The Chief Minister announced that a committee, previously established to provide recommendations on the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to the Maratha community, will be submitting its report on Tuesday. The report will then be discussed in the cabinet.

Additionally, the CM mentioned that a three-member committee of experts will be formed to advise the state government on the submission of a proposed curative petition to the Supreme Court regarding the Maratha quota matter.

Shinde informed quota activist Jarange that a government representative will have discussions with him on Tuesday. He requested that Jarange give the state government some time to address the issue.

Shinde advised Jarange to be cautious regarding the direction of the quota protest, particularly in light of the violence witnessed in certain areas.

Speaking to the media in Antarwali Sarati village, Jalna district, Jarange appealed to protesters to avoid participating in acts of violence and arson.

The activist voiced concern about the recent acts of violence and arson, highlighting how these actions negatively impact the reputation of their protest.

Jarange argued that Marathas should receive reservation under the OBC category throughout the entire state, rather than only in certain regions.

Supriya Sule, leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), called for the resignation of Devendra Fadnavis, the deputy CM who also serves as the home minister, in response to the Maratha quota violence.

She highlighted incidents such as the burning of an MLA's house and a torched Panchayat Samiti office, questioning if anyone was investigating these occurrences.