CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Quota agitators disrupted various Marathwada Liberation Day events across the Marathwada region on Wednesday. In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city, despite strict police screening, three elderly OBC activists managed to enter the venue of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s speech at Siddharth Garden waving black flags.The activists — 70-year-old Rambhau Perkar, 62-year-old Ashoksingh Shevgan and 59-year-old Shivaji Gaikwad — shouted slogans as the CM began his address. They demanded the withdrawal of the Hyderabad gazette-related GR, which facilitates reservations for the Marathas under the OBC quota. The GR was issued by state govt on Sept 2. The agitators accused state govt of doing injustice to the OBC communities. The Sambhajinagar city police promptly detained the trio and took them to the Kranti Chowk police station, where a non-cognizable FIR was registered against them before their release.
Reacting to the incident, Fadnavis said, “Just for the sake of publicity, two-three people shout slogans. I am sad that such things are taking place on Marathwada Liberation Day.”In Pune, revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said such behaviour is not expected of the OBC community. Talking to reporters, Bawankule said, “It is our govt’s promise that no OBC will face any injustice. No other CM of Maharashtra has done as much as Fadnavis has for the upliftment of the OBC community. It is unfortunate that attempts are being made to disrupt the CM’s events. It is our govt’s promise that no OBC member will face any injustice.“In a separate incident in Beed district, two youths attempted self-immolation by pouring diesel on themselves and jumping in front of the convoy of deputy CM Ajit Pawar. Vishal Thorat (22) and Shekhar Thorat (25), from Kubephal village, sought details under RTI regarding the alleged poor quality of road work. Shivaji Nagar police station inspector Kishore Pawar said the youths, belonging to Kej tehsil, were frustrated by the lack of response to their RTI queries over the past year. “We have registered an NC, and further preventive action is underway,” he added.Additionally, in Nanded, members of Sakal OBC Samaj planned to gherao district guardian minister Atul Save. However, the police intervened and prevented them from entering the venue where the Maharashtra Liberation Day event was being held.Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar police commissioner Pravin Pawar told TOI, “To ensure the smooth passage of the Marathwada Liberation Day event, at least 10 different organisations, including the Banjara community, Matang community, and senior freedom fighters, were convinced to withdraw their planned agitations during the govt event. We personally collected written representations from about 20 different organisations and handed them over to the CM.“
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