New Delhi (Agency): A Maratha organization in Thane city of Maharashtra has called for a ‘bandh’ (shutdown) on September 11 to condemn the recent police action in Jalna district. The police had used lathi-charge and tear gas against agitators seeking reservations for the Maratha community. The bandh is supported by Sakal Maratha Morcha and backed by the Sambhaji Brigade.
Leaders from various opposition parties in the state attended a meeting on Saturday, expressing their support for the bandh. They have also appealed to the citizens of Thane to participate in it. Key attendees included the NCP city unit president Suhas Desai, his counterpart from Shiv Sena (UBT) Pradeep Shinde, MNS leaders Ravindra More, Avinash Jadhav, and Maratha Kranti Morcha’s city chief Ramesh Ambre, along with Congress’ city president Vikrant Chavan.
Earlier this month, a protest aimed at securing reservations for the Maratha community turned violent at Antarwali Sarathi village in Jalna district. Several people, including many police officers, were injured during the clash. The police used lathi-charge and tear gas to break up the mob that allegedly refused to allow the authorities to move a man, who was on a hunger strike, to the hospital.
Since then, Maratha groups have been staging various forms of protests throughout the state to put forward their demands. The call for a ‘bandh’ in Thane is seen as an extension of these ongoing agitations.
The issue has been escalating, with not just Maratha outfits but also opposition political parties getting involved. The joint call for a ‘bandh’ indicates the widening rift between the state government and these organizations, which accuse the authorities of using excessive force to suppress peaceful protests.
The involvement of opposition parties in supporting the bandh highlights the increasing political stakes over an issue that has been contentious for a while. With local leaders urging the public to take part in the bandh, it’s evident that the tensions are not only escalating but also gaining broad-based support. The state government is yet to respond to the call for the ‘bandh,’ and its actions in the coming days could be crucial in determining the trajectory of this ongoing social and political issue.