Maratha Reservation : Police lathi-charge on protestors during protest in Jalna

By: Pune Pulse

September 1, 2023 

PUNE: Maratha protestors in Jalna faced a police lathi charge as they demanded Maratha reservation. As per information, the police entered the protesters’ tent and resorted to using lathis. The police claimed that the protesters pelted stones at them. 

As per the information provided, the incident occurred in Antarwali village within the Jalna district, Manoj Jarange Patil, an activist, initiated a hunger strike alongside some colleagues, demanding reservation for the Maratha community. The hunger strike has been ongoing since August 29. However, Manoj Jarange Patil’s health deteriorated, and when he was requested to end his fast, he refused. 

Additionally, later in the day, the police resorted to lathicharge. No women or children were present during the incident. The Maratha protesters expressed their discontent, stating that they could not remain silent after the lathi charge. They accused the police of attempting to suppress their protest.

In response, the protesters began setting buses and vehicles ablaze along the Dhule-Solapur Road. They claimed that the police initiated violence against their peaceful protest. “We were peacefully protesting, but then the lathi charge happened,” stated the Maratha protesters.

Manoj Jarange Patil added, “We started our protest peacefully and continued so. Yesterday, we had a discussion with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and others as well. However, today, it was suggested that I seek medical treatment, and I agreed to it. Nevertheless, it appears that the police have chosen to disrupt our protest. I urge the Maratha protesters not to engage in burning or vandalizing. Such acts did not even occur during the British era.”

Madhupriya Dhanwate