Maratha rally in Mumbai on August 9, community members expect ‘unprecedented turnout’

Mumbai city news: The Maratha community protests across state stirred the Maharashtra politics for several months last year

To demand for reservation in government jobs and education, the Maratha community has planned a massive rally in Mumbai on August 9.

It started as protest against rape and brutal murder of a minor girl at Kopardi in Ahmednagar district on July 13 last year. (File)

The organisers of the Maratha Kranti Morcha (Maratha Revolution March) expect “unprecedented turnout” in the rally.

The Maratha community protests across state stirred the Maharashtra politics for several months last year.

It started as protest against rape and brutal murder of a minor girl at Kopardi in Ahmednagar district on July 13 last year.

Over the next few months, 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) as well as demand for reservation in government jobs and education for the community.

The Mumbai rally and the programme announced by the community leaders indicate an attempt to revive the agitations that had fizzled out as the focus shifted to district council and civic polls.

“The community leaders will also hold a meeting at Raigad fort on June 6 to take oath to continue their struggle for betterment of their community,” said Nana Kute Patil, another community leader.

Raigad fort of King Shivaji is symbolic as the community revers the Maratha warrior king.

“The community leaders will meet at Kopardi on July 13, exactly a year after the gruesome incident took place, to plan the rally,” said Sanjiv Bhor Patil, a community leader.