Nagpur: Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis on Wednesday met the protesters from Sakal Maratha Morcha for the first time in Nagpur to discussion the issue. The CM said that a committee comprising intellects, retired judges and professors from the Maratha community would be appointed. The protesters emphasised on reservation for the community, amendment in the Atrocity Act, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission Report and complete loan waiver to the farmers.
The protest started in the city around 11 in which people from Nagpur, Akola, Nashik, Yavatmal came together and walked up to the legislature. Shiv Sena ministers Diwakar Raote, Ravindra Waikar, Eknath Shinde, MLAs Pratap Sarnaik, Hemant Patil, leader of opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, Dhananjay Munde, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders Jayant Patil, Dilip Walse-Patil and many others participated in the protest.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ministers Chandrakant Patil, Vinod Tawde and Shiv Sena minister Deepak Sawant were also present on the occasion. The chief minister said that the government has given the reservation but it is stuck in the court.
“A committee under Vinod Tawde has been appointed to gather evidence of the backwardness of the community. A 2,700-page affidavit has been submitted in the court. This is an effort to make our case strong before the judiciary,” the chief minister said.
Talking about the Atrocity act, Mr Fadnavis said that he has already decided to appoint a committee of all party MLAs to study the act.
The chief minister also spoke about the decision to give scholarships to economically backward communities that will benefit all. Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena MLAs had come to the assembly wearing saffron turbans to declare their support to the Maratha reservation.
The opposition Congress-NCP wanted discussion on the issue but the Speaker did not allow. The house was adjourned four times, as the opposition did not get the chance to discuss the Maratha reservation issue.
