 "Marathas raise societal divide concerns")
MKM has so far organised 26 peaceful marches, including two on Sunday at Thane and Chiplun. It has demanded a speedy trial and punishment for those involved in the recent rape and murder of a Maratha minor, review of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act to curb its ‘misuse’, a 16 per cent reservation in jobs and education for the community, and revival of the farm sector.
The state government last week raised the annual family income criterion for Economically Backward Category students from ~1 lakh to ~2.5 lakh for help. It also extended concessions in higher education enjoyed by the category to all those whose annual income was below ~6 lakh. Under the scheme, the government will reimburse half the expenses annually incurred by students on fees.
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To counter MKM's agitation, protest marches have been organised at some places by members of the scheduled castes and tribes, and of Other Backward Classes (OBCs). They are opposed to any review of the anti-atrocity law.
MKM functionary Rajendra Kondhare told this newspaper: ''Certain forces are determined to give a caste colour to our agitation, despite our clarification that the protest marches are not against any caste or community. Still, some are instigating other communities against the Maratha community.” He named social welfare minister Rajkumar Badole in this regard.
Asking that the government act with urgency in addressing their demands, he said the stir would continue. A grand march has been planned in Nagpur, home city of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, during the winter session of the state legislature, in December. ''We will collectively decide a future plan of action,” he said.
Bhalchandra Mungekar, noted educationist and a Rajya Sabha member, alleged that there was an undercurrent in the Maratha agitation of targeting dalits. ''Their continuous flow of marches has polarised society along caste lines. Dalits, adivasis and OBCs have started taking out counter-marches with commendable strength. This has created a social anarchy-like situation in Maharashtra,” he said.
He added that “the government must take urgent steps to look into the demands of the Maratha community, ensure law and order to protect property and the lives of people, particularly the dalit community that is under attack, before the situation goes out of control.”
Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale says the Constitution should be amended to provide a 25 per cent quota to the poor among upper castes, such as Patels and Marathas. He said his ministry would examine specific suggestions for minor changes that would stop misuse of the anti-SC/ST atrocities law.