Maratha quota agitators attack BJP MP’s vehicle, 16 held

The car of BJP MP Heena Gavit was damaged on Sunday allegedly by Maratha protesters in Dhule in north Maharashtra. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon outside the Dhule district collector’s office.

The car of BJP MP Heena Gavit was damaged on Sunday allegedly by Maratha protesters in Dhule in north Maharashtra, over 300 kms from Mumbai, police said.

The Maratha community has been demanding 16% quota in government jobs and education under the OBC category. Maratha groups had last month observed bandhs in Mumbai and rest of the state in support of the demand and held violent agitations. (PTI)

The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon outside the Dhule district collector’s office. As soon as Gavit’s car came out of the district collectorate, at least 16 protesters stopped it and broke its glass shield, police said.

Dhule superintendent of police M Ramkumar said Gavit was sitting inside the vehicle when the incident occurred. She escaped unhurt, he said. Gavit represents Nandurbar Lok Sabha seat.

Police have detained 16 protesters in connection with the incident, he said.

The Maratha community has been demanding 16% quota in government jobs and education under the OBC (Other Backward Classes) category. Maratha groups had last month observed bandhs in Mumbai and rest of the state in support of the demand and held violent agitations.

The Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission (MSBCC) was entrusted with the task to assess the socio-economic backwardness of the politically influential community.

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had said that the BJP government was committed to grant quota to the Marathas that can stand legal scrutiny. He had announced convening a special session of the state legislature on receipt of the MSBCC report to discuss the quota demand.