Why the Maratha quota stir is politically significant in Maharashtra

The influential community’s longstanding demand has flared up again ahead of key elections and shaky political alliances in the state.

Sep 6, 2023 - 08:30

Why the Maratha quota stir is politically significant in Maharashtra

After nearly five years, the Maratha community’s demand for reservations in educational institutions and government jobs has seen a resurgence in Maharashtra at a time of changed political equations and impending electoral contests.

Manoj Jarange-Patil, a Maratha leader little heard of until last week, is spearheading fresh protests demanding reservation for the Marathas. He warned that the agitation may escalate if the Maharashtra government did not issue a resolution on the matter by Tuesday.

With the Marathas a politically-influential community in Maharashtra, the long-standing demand assumes significance. The stir comes amid a possible close contest between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance and the Opposition bloc in the upcoming polls.

A fresh agitation

Since August 29, Jarange-Patil has been on a hunger strike in Antarwali Sarathe village of Jalna district, sparking a fresh agitation for reservation. Other districts in Maharashtra, including Pune, Solapur, Nanded and Nagpur, have also witnessed protests led by Jarange-Patil’s Maratha Kranti Morcha.

On Friday, police fired tear gas shells and baton-charged a mob to disperse protesters who allegedly stopped local authorities from shifting Jarange-Patil to a hospital. Several people, including around 40 police personnel, were injured. More than 15 state transport buses were set ablaze. The violence continued on Saturday.

It triggered an uproar with the Opposition...