Maharashtra: Maratha quota activists burn tyres in Solapur to protest police action in Jalna; two detained

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Some Maratha community members reportedly burned tyres in Solapur district of Maharashtra on Wednesday to protest against the recent police lathi-charge on quota protesters in Jalna, following which two persons were detained, an official said, according to the PTI.

This 'Rasta Roko' (road blockade) protest was held on a service road on the Solapur-Pune highway in the afternoon, he said, as per the PTI.

The issue of Maratha reservation returned to the centre stage last week after the police baton-charged and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse a violent mob at Antarwali Sarathi village in Jalna district. The police said protesters allegedly refused to let authorities shift an activist on hunger strike for Maratha quota to a hospital.

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Ever since the incident, the state has been witnessing protests by the Maratha community, demanding reservations in government jobs and educational institutions.

"Today, some pro-Maratha quota protesters gathered on a service road at the Old Pune Naka on Solapur-Pune highway in the afternoon and burned tyres to protest the Jalna incident and to highlight their quota demand," the police official told the PTI.

After receiving information about it, a team of police rushed to the spot and removed the burning tyres. The road was opened for vehicular movement after that, he said, adding that two persons were detained for inquiry in connection with the incident.

Another group from the Maratha community held a demonstration on Solapur-Barshi road, while a protest march was taken out at Karmala in the district to press for the reservation demand, he said.

Meanwhile, a delegation of Shiv Sena (UBT) lawmakers on Wednesday met Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais and demanded the resignation of Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis over police action in Jalna district against protesters seeking quota for the Maratha community, reported the PTI.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former minister Aaditya Thackeray sought to know who gave the orders to use force on the protesters.

Who is General Dyer (a reference to the British officer who ordered the firing which led to the 1919 Jallianwala Baug massacre) among Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers (Devendra) Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar?

Who gave the orders to lathi-charge? Action will be taken against officials who lathi-charged, but what about those who issued orders from the government? Aaditya Thackeray said.

Devendra Fadnavis on Monday expressed regret over the police action.

(with PTI inputs)