Amid growing criticism over the police lathi-charge on Maratha quota protesters in Jalna district, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed regret for the use of force and clarified that the order for the lathi-charge did not come from top government officials.
Fadnavis, who oversees the Home Department, emphasized that such decisions regarding police action are typically made at the local level. He stated, “The Maharashtra government regrets the use of force by the police in Jalna district a few days ago.”
Earlier in the day, Fadnavis and Rajya Sabha MP Udayanraje Bhosale have taken steps to engage with the issue.
Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis initiated a conversation with Manoj Jarange Patil, a prominent leader of the Maratha agitation, in an effort to address the situation. Fadnavis assured Patil that those responsible for the unfortunate incident in Jalna would be held accountable. He expressed optimism that discussions on the issue would lead to a resolution and conveyed the government’s eagerness to meet with leaders of the Maratha agitation.
Similarly, Udayanraje Bhosale, a member of the Rajya Sabha and a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, reached out to chief minister Eknath Shinde, seeking a discussion on the matter. These overtures by senior political figures reflect the gravity of the situation and the need for dialogue and resolution.
The Maharashtra Cabinet sub-committee on Maratha Reservation was convened, with both the chief minister and deputy chief minister expected to attend. The government has reiterated its commitment to providing reservations to the Maratha community.
Chief minister Eknath Shinde addressed the Jalna incident, highlighting the historical context of the Maratha reservation issue. He noted that in November 2014, during the coalition government led by then-chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, the government had announced Maratha reservation. The High Court had upheld this decision, but the Supreme Court later made a different ruling, leading to the current legal battle. Shinde emphasized that the state government was fully prepared to fight the case in court.
Shinde also urged the public to be cautious of individuals attempting to exploit the situation for political gain, emphasizing the need for a responsible and measured approach.
The clash between police and Maratha reservation protesters in Jalna had prompted police to use lathi charges to disperse the demonstrators. The situation remains tense as the government, political leaders, and the Maratha community grapple with the complexities of the reservation issue.
