Bombay High Court Allows Maratha Quota Activist’s Rally to Proceed Amid Concerns

The Bombay High Court, in a significant ruling on Friday, denied a request to prevent Manoj Jarange-Patil, a prominent activist advocating for Maratha reservation, from conducting a march to Mumbai. The court emphasized that it could not issue prohibitory orders based solely on apprehensions expressed by the petitioner.

During the proceedings, the division bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait M Sethna noted, “We find at present the entire case of the petitioners is set up on the basis of past experience. There is no such situation as yet which has emerged for us to take cognizance and issue appropriate directions in the matter.” The court’s remarks indicate a belief in the state machinery’s capability to manage possible disruptions.

Manoj Jarange-Patil has been on an indefinite hunger strike in Jalna district since August 29, advocating for the inclusion of the Maratha community in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category for reservations. His demands extend to the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates for eligible members of the community, a move aimed at securing benefits under the reservation policy.

The petition against the march was filed by Nilesh Dhanukar, a resident of Mumbai, who urged the court to intervene ahead of the Ganesh festival, set to commence on September 14. Dhanukar’s counsel argued that the planned protest could potentially lead to unrest reminiscent of previous demonstrations related to the Maratha reservation issue.

The Maratha reservation movement has been a contentious topic in Maharashtra, with various protests and rallies occurring over the years. Activists like Jarange-Patil have emerged as central figures in the fight for reservation rights, which they argue are crucial for the socio-economic upliftment of the Maratha community. As the march approaches, all eyes will be on both the response from the authorities and the broader implications for community relations in the region.

Source: scroll.in