Maratha leaders divided over atrocities act and reservation

MUMBAI: As the mobilisation of Marathas reached a peak with a mammoth march in Pune on Sunday, the demands made by representatives of the community have divided its leaders. While a large number of people supported the demand raised by Chhatrapati Shivaji’s descendent Udayanraje Bhosale about scrapping the prevention of atrocities act as well as reservation, others have taken a different stand.

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Bhosale, an MP from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), said the community will not settle for mere amendments in the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. “When the act was enacted, it was relevant as certain sections needed protection. However, it has come to the notice that act is being misused against Marathas, which makes us demand the act to be revoked,” said Bhosale. The Satara MP has also said merit should be the sole criterion as the present quota system has created fissures among different communities.

“If we have to achieve a casteless society, there has to be only one criterion, which is merit. Reservation on the basis on caste has created fissures among communities,” Bhosale said during the silent rally.

The remarks made by Bhosale contradict others who want the act to just be altered as well as reservation for Maratha community. A press note issued by the organisers of the rally demanded an amendment in the act.

Bhai Jagtap, a Maratha leader and a member of the Congress, said his party have always asked for the act to not be misused. “We have never demanded the act to be revoked. We want the atrocities act to stay but amended.”

Speaking at Navi Mumbai, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis reiterated his government’s stand of ensuring reservation for the community. Fadnavis, however, said different demands have come forward during the protest marches . “If the government has to act , a discussion with the community has to be held.” NCP leader Ajit Pawar, Dilip Walse Patil, Congress members Harshavardhan Patil, Shiv Sena leaders Vijay Shivtare, Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil and Srirang Barne were present for the march.