The issue of Maratha reservations is once again in the news in Maharashtra. Manoj Jarange has announced a protest demanding Maratha reservations starting August 29th. Meanwhile, state minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil made a significant statement, saying that due to the steps taken by the government, Manoj Jarange will not be forced to protest.
While talking to the media, Vikhe Patil said that the government is continuously working in the interest of the Maratha community and the decisions related to reservation are being implemented effectively.
Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said that the government has taken several important decisions for the Maratha community, which include-
- The discontinued scholarship schemes have been restarted.
- A decision has been taken to provide government jobs to the families of 32 people who lost their lives during the Maratha reservation movement .
- Employment will be provided to the beneficiaries in the Corporation and MIDC.
- The number of seats for UPSC training at Sarathi Institute has been increased to 400.
- Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been prepared for the implementation of Hyderabad Gazette.
- All district collectors have been instructed to start helplines and review the progress every Monday.
- Necessary instructions have been issued to the administration to resolve the problems related to caste certificate.
The Minister stated that the Shinde Committee has so far searched 5.8 million records and this process is still ongoing. The Committee’s term has been extended until 2027 to ensure effective resolution of reservation-related issues.
Praising the role of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, he said that the government is completely positive and serious about the issues of the Maratha community.
Vikhe Patil alleged that some important decisions were canceled during the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, causing harm to the Maratha community. He said that the current government has taken several major decisions in the community’s interest by restarting those schemes.
Responding to Abhijit Dipke’s statement, Vikhe Patil said that if he has received threats from anyone, he should make the person’s name public. He accused the Congress party of playing politics in the name of the movement and said that an attempt is being made to create confusion in society.
For now, Manoj Jarange is standing by his proposed agitation announced on August 29. Consequently, the issue of Maratha reservation has once again become central to Maharashtra politics.