In a potential breakthrough in the Maratha quota agitation, the Maharashtra government has agreed to Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil’s key demand to implement the Hyderabad Gazette, which recognizes Marathas as part of the Kunbi peasant community.
The government has also consented to drop all cases filed against protesters advocating for the reservation. Following a meeting with a cabinet sub-committee, Mr Patil said that once the government issues a resolution, his supporters will vacate Mumbai by 9 pm.
Mr Patil is on a hunger strike at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, pressing for job and education reservations for Marathas from Marathwada and western Maharashtra. The government has stated that it is taking proactive measures to address the reservation issue.
A cabinet sub-committee met Mr Patil at the protest site in Azad Maidan today. Ministers Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Manikrao Kokate, and Shivendra Raje Bhosale were present in the meeting, marking the first formal communication between the state government and the Maratha quota agitation leader.
Mr Patil stated that the sub-committee has agreed to implement the Hyderabad Gazette to meet the Maratha reservation demand. He has emphasized the Hyderabad Gazette as crucial evidence that Marathas in Marathwada were historically recorded as Kunbis, a peasant caste. This allows him to frame the reservation as a restoration of historical identity rather than a political move. In Maharashtra, the Kunbi community benefits from OBC-category reservation. The Hyderabad Gazette is particularly relevant because the Marathwada region was part of the former Hyderabad State.
Addressing his supporters after the meeting with ministers, Mr Patil said, “We won with your strength, today I understood the power of the poor.”
Meanwhile, Mr Patil faced criticism from the Bombay High Court after thousands of his supporters disrupted normal life around Azad Maidan during the protests for OBC reservation in jobs and education.
Earlier, a bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Aarti Sathe told Mr Patil’s lawyer that if normalcy on the streets was not restored by 3 pm, the judges themselves would intervene. The bench also warned of exemplary costs and contempt action if its orders were ignored. By 3 pm, many supporters were seen relocating to Navi Mumbai.
Mr Patil had approached the High Court after Mumbai Police denied permission to continue the agitation at Azad Maidan. He has been on hunger strike since August 29.
During the hearing, his lawyer Satish Manshinde Patil apologized for the inconvenience caused by the protests. The bench directed that details of all vehicles involved in the agitation must be submitted and expressed dissatisfaction with the state government’s response.
The court questioned why so many people had gathered when permission was granted only for 5,000. “When you came to know that over 60,000 people had come into the city, what steps did you take?” the bench asked, noting that it would also question the state government.
The court instructed Mr Patil to ensure Azad Maidan was vacated by 3 pm and warned of action if compliance failed. When his lawyer requested more time, the court noted it might take contempt action. “We want the city to return to normal. If it does not happen, we will go and see.”
The court also called Mr Patil and his supporters “violators” who “have no right at all.” “They must leave immediately or we will take action. This is completely illegal. After 3 pm, we will not allow anyone there at Azad Maidan,” the bench said. Criticizing the state government, the court added that the situation should not have escalated to this point.
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