Post violence, Marathas call off quota bandh in Mumbai

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, July 25

The day-long bandh in Mumbai, called by pro-quota Maratha groups, was called off midway on Wednesday after violence marred the protests even as one more protester died, a day after consuming poison.

The protesters attacked buses, indulged in arson and hurled stones at trains in several parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai and the adjoining Thane city, during the bandh called by Maratha outfits to press their demand for reservation in jobs and educational institutions. Three policemen, including SP Sandeep Patil, suffered injuries in stone pelting. “We have called off the bandh as we have proved our point to the government. The bandh was a grand success. We never wanted protests to turn violent,” said Virendra Pawar, an office-bearer of the Maratha Kranti Morcha. He said the decision was taken after outsiders with vested interests indulged in violence to discredit the community.

The Mumbai-Pune and Mumbai-Goa highways were blocked for hours by the protesters. The police used force, including teargas shelling and baton charge, to disperse the protesters at several places. After the protesters attacked the police personnel and damaged patrol vans, internet was suspended at many places.

Meanwhile, after being criticised by NCP chief Sharad Pawar, CM Devendra Fadnavis said he was willing to hold talks with representatives of the community. “The government has taken note of the protests and has taken several decisions in this regard. We are ready to talk to them. A law was introduced to provide them reservation but it was stayed by the Bombay HC,” Fadnavis said.

Sena MLA quits in support

A Shiv Sena MLA from Maharashtra’s Aurangabad district, Harshavardhan Jadhav who represents Kannad constituency, on Wednesday resigned in support of the quota demand.