NCP MP Udayanraje Bhosale today asked why the governments can not show the same willingness in responding to quota demands which the Centre showed when agreeing to restore the provisions of the SC/ST Act.
A lack of political will was the main reason why the Maratha community's demand for reservation in jobs and education was not fulfilled in Maharashtra all these years, the Satara MP, who is a descendant of King Shivaji, said.
If the Union government could agree to bring a bill to restore the provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, why can not the Centre and respective state governments show the same readiness to decide reservation demands of Gujjars, Jaats, Patidars and Marathas, the MP asked.
After the Supreme Court introduced safeguards against arrests under the Act, the government has approved a bill to restore original provisions.
"When nobody objected to the demand for Maratha reservation, why the issue was not resolved in the last 25-30 years," Bhosale asked, speaking to reporters here about the ongoing quota agitation in Maharashtra.
The BJP-led Maharashtra government should expedite the process to grant reservations, as "sentiments of Maratha community are getting sharper with every passing day", he warned.
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In the earlier phase of the agitation, the community took out 58 silent and peaceful processions which won acclaim, he said.
"The government then only made promises which was an eyewash, and then the issue was neglected," he alleged.
He also said that the Maratha protesters should not resort to violence.
"I am going to call a meeting of all conveners of the Maratha Kranti Morcha and appeal the community members that the agitation should not be violent and public property should not be damaged," he said.
The government should withdraw the cases lodged against Maratha protesters, he demanded.
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