Sign in

Maratha candle march in Mumbai on July 13 to mark death anniversary of Kopardi victim

This is apart from the massive rally announced by the Maratha Kranti Morcha (Maratha Revolution March), apex body of all Maratha organisations, in the city in Mumbai on August 9

Updated on: Jul 10, 2017, 00:11:49 IST
Hindustan Times | By , Mumbai
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
Copy link
  • copy link

To mark the first death anniversary of the minor girl who was raped and brutally murdered at Kopardi in Ahmednagar district last year, the Maratha community will hold a candle march in Mumbai on July 13.

The Kopardi rape and murder case had triggered Maratha community protests across the state. (HT FILE)
The Kopardi rape and murder case had triggered Maratha community protests across the state. (HT FILE)

The community members have decided to gather at Gateway of India to offer their condolences.

This is apart from the massive rally announced by the Maratha Kranti Morcha (Maratha Revolution March), apex body of all Maratha organisations, in the city in Mumbai on August 9.

The Kopardi rape and murder case had triggered Maratha community protests across the state.The victim was from the community.

“We want to condole the death of the deceased and thus have decided to hold candle march in Mumbai on July 13. It was the same day when she was brutally murdered,” said Virendra Pawar, one of the organisers.

Read more: Will the Maratha agitation gain momentum in Maharashtra again?

Maratha, a politically and economically influential community in Maharashtra has been agitating for reservation which could affect political equations in the state. The community protests across state stirred the Maharashtra politics for several months last year.

Around 57 massive rallies were taken out by the community members demanding death sentence for the accused, dilution of the Atrocities Act (Prevention of Atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Tribes Act), reservation in government jobs and education for the community and many others such demands.

To condole her death, members will gather in the evening at Gateway of India from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Panvel and other neighbouring areas.

On the same day, another condolence programme has been organised at Kopardi of Ahmednagar district. Members residing in other parts of the state can participate in the program as per their convenience, Pawar said.

“The candle march will also remind the government that even after one year, the girl and her parents are awaiting for justice,” he added.

  • Faisal Malik
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Faisal Malik

    Faisal Malik is a senior journalist with over two and a half decades of experience covering Maharashtra’s politics, governance and public policy with a deep understanding of the state’s political landscape. He is a Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times and has been associated with its Mumbai edition for more than a decade. Based in Mumbai, Faisal currently covers three major political parties in Maharashtra — Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and NCP (Sharad Pawar). Over the years, he has extensively reported on major political developments, combining investigative insights with in-depth field reporting. His coverage has spanned a wide range of issues, from drought, farmer suicides, major development projects and grassroots challenges to major electoral battles, including three Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly elections — 2014, 2019 and 2024. Before joining Hindustan Times, he worked with ‘The Asian Age’ and ‘Dainik Bhaskar’. An avid tea enthusiast, he enjoys reading history, Urdu literature and classical poetry. When away from the newsroom, he writes Urdu poetry inspired by human emotions, life's experiences, meaningful reflections and relationships. An amateur photographer, Faisal is passionate about capturing moments that often go unnoticed by the naked eye.Read More