Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde during a public event at Parbhani
Eknath Shinde Proceeds with Outreach Despite Maratha Protests
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: On Sunday, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde conducted a prominent public outreach event in Parbhani. This move came despite significant opposition from Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange, who contended that the event should be postponed due to the ongoing agitation for community quotas. Jarange’s objections highlight the tensions surrounding the Maratha reservation movement, which seeks to secure affirmative action for the Maratha community in Maharashtra.
As deputy CM Shinde began speaking, a group of Maratha youths raised slogans of “ Ek Maratha, Lakh Maratha ”. “They are our people, let them come,” Shinde said, inviting the youths onto the dais. Even now, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and I have sent ministers to him to examine the legal aspects of his demands,” Shinde said. Amid speculation that he might even head to Parbhani to protest, Jarange said he would respond politically and “teach a lesson in Mumbai”. What would I tell the people who had already come here?” he said. “I have respect for him, and I am not hurt by what he said against me. However, after Mahayuti formed govt, a consistent stance has been taken to provide justice to the Maratha community,” he said.
The farmer-youth interaction programme, organised by Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Jadhav , was widely seen as a show of strength by the MP, who recently switched from Uddhav Thackeray’s camp to Shinde’s faction. Thousands attended the programme. The tension was visible at the event venue. Shinde paused and instructed police not to stop the youths. The event ultimately proceeded without disruption. Addressing the gathering, Shinde also struck a conciliatory tone towards the quota activist. “An ordinary activist like him is fighting for the entire community. I have met him twice when I was the chief minister. Jarange questioned the timing of the programme, saying it was insensitive to hold a political gathering when the Maratha community was fighting for reservation. Jadhav sought to explain why the programme was not cancelled. “Jarange asked me to cancel the programme at 11am, but how could I cancel it at the last moment? I apologise if his sentiments have been hurt,” he added. At the event, Shinde called the Maratha community hardworking, and added that Mahayuti govt was committed to addressing its concerns without affecting the interests of OBCs or other communities.
“Earlier, when politicians of the Maratha community were predominantly in power in the state, decisions regarding the Maratha community were not taken. Jarange, on the second day of his hunger strike, had personally called Jadhav on Sunday morning and urged him to cancel the event.