Manoj Jarange Patil's Maratha Protests: A Major Test for Maharashtra CM Fadnavis as Bombay HC Directions Increase Challenges
Maratha Protest: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is now facing a challenging situation regarding the issue of Maratha reservation. On one hand, Manoj Jarange Patil is refusing to leave Azad Maidan, while on the other hand, the Bombay High Court has ordered the Maratha agitators to vacate the streets of Mumbai by 4 PM on Tuesday. If force is used to enforce the court's order, the situation could escalate.
In this context, all eyes are on CM Fadnavis, who has returned to power with a majority, to see how he tackles the Maratha reservation issue while adhering to the court's instructions and without alienating the OBC community. It is noteworthy that during the previous administration, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had sent Jarange back from Navi Mumbai, which helped prevent significant traffic congestion in Mumbai.
One of the most serious challenges
Political experts believe that Chief Minister Fadnavis is currently facing one of the most serious challenges of his political career. Thousands of Maratha protesters are on the streets of Mumbai, compelling the government to make a decision after careful consideration.
Jarange is demanding that the Maratha community be granted reservation in the Kunbi category under OBC. However, if this demand is met, it could lead to resentment among the OBC community, creating a new set of problems.
Some media reports indicate that political experts are surprised that allowing Jarange to come to Azad Maidan has created a situation akin to "come bull, hit me." Given Jarange's firm stance, it seems unlikely that he will return to Jalna based solely on assurances.
A big political test
There is a discussion in political circles that if any untoward incident happens in the movement, it can have a direct impact on the government. Recently, in a TV interview, Fadnavis had said that some people in Maharashtra politics do not like him being the Chief Minister, but in 2014, the BJP had given him the responsibility.
Fadnavis is a Brahmin, while Deputy Chief Minister Shinde and Ajit Pawar are from the Maratha community. In such a situation, handling the Maratha movement is a big political test for him. With Jarange standing in Azad Maidan, this challenge has become more serious. Because it is not legally easy to put all Marathas in the Kunbi category. Identification and classification of a caste is done only by the notification of the Government of India and the Parliament. The state government cannot put any community in another caste on its own.
How will the government convince Jarange?
Manoj Jarange, who is leading the Maratha movement, is constantly targeting Fadnavis. He has compared him to a chameleon. Political experts believe that if the demand of the Maratha community is accepted, then the Dhangar community can also take to the streets again for reservation.
The government can recommend that the Maratha and Kunbi communities are the same, and Marathas should be added to the OBC list. In return, the government can ask Jarange for some time. But the question is whether Jarange will agree to this?
Prakash Kumar Pandey