After a few months of waiting with fear and baited breath, people of Mumbai will finally have to face the biggest silent rally in the form of Maratha Morcha on Wednesday. Lakhs of people from across Maharashtra will likely attend a protest march in Mumbai seeking reservations in jobs, and punishment for accused in the Kopardi case and education for the Maratha community. [caption id=“attachment_3908527” align=“alignnone” width=“850”] Map of the Maratha morcha rally route.[/caption] This will be the 58th — and the largest — protest march of the Maratha community, exactly a year after the first march was held in Aurangabad. So far, 57 protests, in the form of ‘mook morcha’ (silent rallies), have been held in various parts of the state following the brutal rape and murder of a 14-year-old Maratha girl in Kopardi in Ahmednagar district in July 2016. The other demands of the community include Amendment in SC, ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act) to stop its misuse, loan waiver to curb farmer suicides, and remunerative prices for agricultural produce. The morcha The morcha has been organised by the Sakal Maratha Samaj, an umbrella organisation of several Maratha groups and will begin at 11 am from the BMC’s Jijamata Udyan and culminate at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, the organisers said. However, with more than
five lakh members of Maratha community and an additional 10,000 vehicles likely to enter Mumbai from cities like Pune, Nashik, Kolhapur, Raigad, and Satara, the silent March is expected to cripple the city’s traffic mostly during the peak hours. Therefore, to facilitate a smooth flow of vehicles, the Mumbai Traffic Police has decided to close certain roads and install diversions between Byculla and Mumbai Central to CST and Churchgate. Seeing the size of the Maratha community that is expected to take part in the Maratha Kranti Morcha on Wednesday, the Mumbai Police, Traffic Police, BMC, Fire Brigade and intelligence units from state and Centre and other agencies held a final meeting on Tuesday to prevent any untoward incident.
Maratha Kranti Morcha in Mumbai 2017 highlights: Fadnavis assures reservation, offers sops to students and farmers
After a few months of waiting with fear and baited breath, people of Mumbai will finally have to face the biggest silent rally in the form of Maratha Morcha on Wednesday.
 "Maratha Kranti Morcha in Mumbai 2017 highlights: Fadnavis assures reservation, offers sops to students and farmers")
‘Traffic running smoothly near Tilak Bridge and Dadar TT Circle’
@RidlrMUM Tilak Bridge and Tt Circle a breeze. So is Wadala bridge. Don't mind such rallies everyday if it brings us relief from traffic!
— Rajat (@reddevil_rajat) August 9, 2017
Devendra Fadnavis gives his statement on the floor of Maharashtra Assembly
My statement in legislative assembly on our meeting with representatives of #MarathaMorcha and all political parties https://t.co/Ps86vRFXbI pic.twitter.com/yPHY8ecaVQ
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) August 9, 2017
Devendra Fadnavis gives his statement on the floor of Maharashtra legislative council
My statement in legislative council on our meeting with representatives of #MarathaMorcha and all political partieshttps://t.co/TmovUcsoue https://t.co/RBjF5XwLqh
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) August 9, 2017
In case traveling to and from South Mumbai, here is a map of closed, diverted roads
Indigo Airlines asks Mumbaikars to plan travel keeping in traffic congestion due to Maratha Morcha
#6ETravelAdvisory: Mumbai is facing heavy traffic congestion due to Maratha Morcha. Request all passengers to plan their travel accordingly.
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) August 9, 2017
Drones used to keep an eye on crowd
The Mumbai Police took help of drones on Wednesday to keep an eye on unruly elements. Videos beamed from drones along with from CCTV cameras were monitored by the police control room.
Maratha representatives during meeting with Devendra Fadnavis | ANI
Mumbai: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis met representatives from #MarathaMorcha and leaders from all political parties. pic.twitter.com/69z6LC5R2r
— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2017
Backward Classes Commission to look into feasibility of reservation
Matter referred to Backward classes commission which will do a study of feasibility of giving reservation to Maratha community: Maha CM
— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2017
Narayan Rane speaks out on Maratha reservation
Rane, who was the head of the one-man commission which recommended Maratha reservation, said that from now on he would focus on whether the government sticks to its promise of ’time-bound’ implementation of reservation policy.
IBN Lokmat
Call for Muslim reservation
While the House was discussing the Maratha reservation, a section of MLAs, which included Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi and AIMIM MLA Waris Pathan sought an answer from the Fadnavis government for ignoring legislations on providing Muslim reservation. Azmi also said that the country would never make any progress unless Muslim interests are taken care by the government.
Good news for Maratha students
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the Assembly that the cut off for student scholarship for Maratha students would be reduced from 60 to 50 percent. Also every district in Maharashtra will get separate hostel for Maratha students. 605 courses which were once exclusively for only SC/ST students will also be made avialble to Maratha candidates.
Sambhaji raje’s message to protesters
I am not a leader
I have come forcefully
I have not come as part of any political group
I have come here to get whatever we can get
I am not a leader
Fadnavis issues statement, promises ’time-bound action’
Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the Cabinet will appoint a sub committee to look into the reservations and other demands of Maratha Morcha. Fadnavis said that Chandhrakant Patil will head the committee. The chief minister also said that the government will also start various schemes to help the Maratha community. The government will also provide 18 Maratha communities with caste identification cards. Fadnvais added that farmers with loans of over 10 lakh rupees will be helped by the government. On the Kopardi rape and murder case, Fadnavis said that the case is in the final stages now.
A bit about the speeches at Azad Maidan
The unique aspect of the protest is that all the speakers at Azad Maidan are young women. The fiery speeches attack the present day government for its inaction in the rape and murder of a Maratha girl in Kopardi. While invoking the past glory of the Maratha empire, the speeches then ponder upon the poverty of Maratha farmers in Marathwada. Most of the speakers, who seem to be college students, talk about the plight of meritorious Maratha students losing out to SC/OBC/ST candidates in terms of getting admitted to top notch colleges.
Manjul’s take on the Maratha morcha
Devendra Fadnavis to make statement at 3 pm
After unruly scenes, the Maharashtra Assembly was adjourned till 3 pm. After Maratha leaders meet Fadnavis, it is likely that the chief minister may issue an statement on the issue.
Meeting with Devendra Fadnavis going on
The steering committee of the Maratha morcha is meeting Fadnavis, Five political leaders have also accompanied members of the morcha. They are: Vinayak Mete, senior Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, state minister Subash Deshmukh, NCP leaders Jayant Patil and Ajit Pawar.
Shiv Sena MLAs protest outside Vidhan Bhavan
Sea of humanity outside CST
Report from Ground Zero
Around 15,000 Maratha volunteers are cleaning the streets of Mumbai. Several Muslim NGOs are also distributing water.
Government makes promises to protesters
According to _IBN Lokmat, g_overnment will set up a subcommittee, which will be accorded the Cabinet rank. In addition, the decisions taken by the subcommittee won’t need Cabinet approval. Government will ask state backward commission to submit its report within prescribed time.
Maratha leaders arrive at Vidhan Bhavan
Maratha delegation arrive to meet Fadnavis
Delegation of Maratha leaders, escorted by minister Subhash Deshmukh, have arrived at the Vidhan Bhavan to meet Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, reports IBN Lokmat.
Maharashtra doctors join protests
According to The Indian Express, approximately 10,000 doctors from various parts of Maharashtra have joined the rally. The report added that about 30 percent of the doctors, who are members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), have joined the protest in Mumbai.
Eknath Shinde backs Maratha protesters in state Assembly
In the state legislature, Shiv Sena members, led by Eknath Shinde, supported the demands of the Maratha community.
The party MLAs raised slogans on the steps of the Vidhan Bhavan.
Shinde said, “We completely support the demands of the Maratha community. A large section of the community is deprived of education, good income sources and skills that would get them good jobs. Reservation in education and jobs could be one way of supporting them.”
“The other demands, such as strict action against those who had allegedly sexually assaulted the girl and murdered her, will be given the required support,” he said.
PTI
What are the protesters’ demands?
The silent protest is a peaceful way to press the demands for reservation in jobs and educational institutions and punishment for accused in the Kopardi case, according to those marching.
Their other demands include amendments in SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act) to stop its misuse, loan waiver to curb farmer suicides and remunerative prices for agricultural produce.
PTI
Maratha morcha leaders to submit memorandum to Maharashtra chief minister
“A delegation of Maratha leaders will call on the chief mInister to submit a memorandum listing their various demands. Though there are many issues, stress will be on education and reservations for the Maratha community members,” former chief minister Narayan Rane, a prominent Maratha leader, told IANS.
Rane headed a special committee appointed by the previous Congress-Nationalist Congress Party regime to study the socio-economic conditions of the Maratha community.
Wednesday’s march has secured the support of all political parties with even the NDA constituents Shiv Sena and Republican Party of India-A announcing their support late Tuesday.
IANS
We are LIVE from Azad Maidan
Government to begin talks with protesters: Reports
IBN Lokmat reports that the government has appointed state minister Subhash Deshmukh to serve as an intermediary with the Maratha morcha leaders.
Watch: Bird’s-eye view of protesters at Azad Maidan
Aerial view of Azad Maidan
Former chief minister Ashok Chavan joins protesters
Maratha leader warns government
“If there is no action, then the coordination committee will meet and decide about the way we are going to carry out our aggressive agitation,” Shantaram Kunjir, a Maratha leader told The Indian Express.
Meanwhile.. this is how JJ Flyover looks at 12.45 pm
Congress leader Narayan Rane reaches Azad Maidan
Narayan Rane has reached Azad Maidan. Rane’s entry is significant as he was heading a one-man commission which looked into the Maratha reservation policy during the Congress-NCP government.
Devendra Fadnavis to make ‘important announcement’: IBN Lokmat
IBN Lokmat reports that Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is likely to announce the formation of a committee comprising several Maratha leaders to look into reservation. Fadnavis is likely to meet leaders of the Maratha protests and Maratha MLAs and make an announcement in the Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday.
Maratha leaders warn politicians to stay away
While Opposition MLAs are on their way to support the silent march taken out by the Maratha community, those leading the march have warned polticians from both the Opposition as well as the ruling party to stay away.
JJ Flyover at 12.30 pm
WATCH: Eknath Shinde urges protesters to keep calm
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