The community, pre-dominant in Maharashtra politics, has been taking out silent marches in various towns of the state over last one month, following the rape and murder of a girl at Kopardi in Ahmednagar district two months back. The victim girl was a Maratha, while the culprits were Dalits.
According to the organisers, nearly 15-20 lakh people are expected to take part in the morcha that will begin at 10 AM from Tapovan here tomorrow and traverse through Panchavati karanja, Victoria bridge, Ravivar Peth, Tilak road, M G road and end at the District Collectorate office.
Earlier, the Maratha rallies in Navi Mumbai, Akola, Latur and Nanded drew huge crowds.
The community leaders have been demanding scrapping of the SC, ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act), saying that it is grossly misused, and also reservations for Marathas in educational institutes and government jobs.