MUMBAI: A day after the death of 27-year-old protester Kakasaheb Shinde, the bandh call given by several Maratha groups intensified across Maharashtra on Tuesday, July 24. The agitating outfits are demanding for reservation in government jobs and education, and martyr’s status for Shinde.
The community claims despite assurances state Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, no concrete steps have been taken so far. The Maratha groups, however, will not stop public transport and emergency services from operating.
On Monday, the Maratha agitation took a tragic turn after a 27-year-old protester, Kakasaheb Shinde, jumped to his death in Godavari river near Aurangabad.
The youth’s death triggered a fresh set of protests in several parts of the state, with opposition leaders seeking to put the onus on the BJP-led government in the state.
Protesters blocked the Ahmednagar-Aurangabad highway and damaged a dozen vehicles, including a police van and a bus, in Gangakhed tehsil of Parbhani district.
Maharashtra bandh: Public transport, emergency services to continue operating
Meanwhile, a bus carrying people to Pandharpur is stuck at Latur bus since Monday night due to the bandh.
Maha: Bus carrying people,going to take part in ‘Waari’ in Pandharpur,is stuck at Latur bus stand since last night due to #Maharashtra bandh. Bus conductor (pic 2)says ‘We were told can go ahead on your own risk.’ People say ‘There’s no staff here. Our money isn’t being returned’
Rajya Sabha MP Sambhaji Raje, direct descendent of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Kolhapur royal family, appealed to the Maratha community not to take the law into their own hands.
Maharashtra government announces Rs 10 lakh ex gratia for Kakasaheb Shinde’s family.
Members of Maratha Kranti Morcha continued protesting over Shinde’s death in Aurangabad.
Aurangabad: Maratha Kranti Morcha workers continue their protest over death of a person who died after jumping off a bridge into Godavari river yesterday during ‘jal samadhi agitation’ in the district for reservation for Maratha community in govt jobs & education.
Protesters on Monday blocked the Ahmednagar-Aurangabad highway and damaged a dozen vehicles, including a police van and a bus, in Gangakhed tehsil of Parbhani district. They refused to take possession of Shinde’s body and demanded the resignation of Fadnavis. They held a sit-in protest at the Gangapur police station in Aurangabad district, demanding that criminal case be filed against the Chief Minister over Shinde’s death. Seeking immediate announcement of reservations for the Maratha community, the protesters also sought a compensation of Rs 50 lakh for Shinde’s family.
Kakasaheb Shinde, 27, a resident of Kaygaon village in Aurangabad district, jumped off a bridge over Godavari river on Monday, police said. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead, they said. Following his death, protestors took to streets in several parts of Maharashtra, demanding justice.
In 2017, members of the Maratha Kranti Morcha took to streets to organise `silent marches` across several towns in Maharashtra, seeking reservations for Marathi people in government jobs and educational institutions.
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