In signs of an agreement between the Maharashtra government and Maratha quota agitation leader Manoj Jarange Patil, a cabinet sub-committee has said it is taking proactive steps to address the reservation issue. Mr Patil, who is on a fast to demand reservation for the community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota, has said he has reached an agreement with the state government on two counts. But the government’s proposals will be circulated among protesters, and if they agree, then further steps will be taken.
A cabinet sub-committee today met Mr Patil at the protest site in Mumbai’s Azad Maidan. Ministers Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Manikrao Kokate, Raje Bhosale are among those present in the meeting, which is the first such communication between the state government and the quota agitation leader.
Mr Patil has said the cabinet sub-committee has agreed to look at the Hyderabad Gazetteer to examine the Maratha reservation demand. Mr Patil has been insisting on Hyderabad Gazetteer because he considers it undeniable proof that Marathas in the Marathwada region were officially recorded as Kunbis, a peasant caste. This document helps him position the reservation not as a political move, but as a restoration of a historical identity. In Maharashtra, the Kunbi community enjoys reservation under the OBC category.
Mr Patil, meanwhile, came under fire from the Bombay High Court today after thousands of his supporters disrupted normal life near Azad Maidan in Mumbai, where they are protesting in demand of reservation in jobs and education under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota.
Earlier in the day, the bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Aarti Sathe told Mr Patil’s lawyer that if normalcy on the streets is not restored by 3 pm, the judges will hit the streets. The bench also warned the Maratha leader of exemplary cost and contempt action if its orders are not heeded. By 3 pm, his supporters were seen heading to a spot in Navi Mumbai.
Mr Patil approached the High Court after Mumbai Police rejected his request to continue the agitation at Azad Maidan. The quota agitation leader has been on a hunger strike since August 29.
During the hearing today, Mr Patil’s lawyer Satish Manshinde Patil apologised for the inconvenience caused by the protests. The bench replied that the details of all the vehicles part of the agitation must be provided. It also noted that it was not happy with the state government’s response.
The court asked Mr Patil why so many people turned up for the protests when permission was given only for a 5000-strong gathering. “When you came to know that over 60,000 people had come into the city, what steps did you take?” the bench asked, adding that it would also question the state government.
The court asked the quota agitation leader to ensure that Azad Maidan is vacated by 3 pm and warned of action if this was not done. When his lawyer sought more time, the court said it may also consider taking contempt action. People are scared, the court noted. “We want the city to return to normal. If it does not happen, we will go and see.”
The court also said Mr Patil and his supporters are “violators” and “have no right at all”. “They must leave immediately or we will take action. This is completely illegal. After 3 pm, we will not allow anyone there at Azad Maidan,” the bench said.
The Maratha leader’s lawyer said he informed the government four months ago about the protest plan and filed an application for permission a month ago, but no arrangements were made at Azad Maidan. The lawyer told the court that they would continue their protest with 5,000 people at Azad Maidan.
Pulling up the state government, the court said the situation should not have reached this point. The next hearing will be held tomorrow.