Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 29 (ANI): Union Minister Narayan Rane has said that he does not agree with the decision taken by the Maharashtra government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on reservations stating that it may create dissatisfaction among other backward communities in the State.
The Union Minister of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) said that he will hold a press conference on this issue later today.
Rane on Sunday in a post on social media platform X said, “I do not agree with the decision taken by the state government and the hope given regarding the reservation of the Maratha community. This may lead to discontent in the state as the Maratha community with historical traditions will be disappointed and this will lead to encroachment on other backward communities. Tomorrow is Monday. On January 29, I will hold a press conference and talk about it.”
“On Monday, January 29, at 4 PM, I will be addressing a press conference at the Credit Hall (Ground Floor), Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, Nariman Point, Mumbai,” Rane said.
On January 27 activist Manoj Jarange Patil who had gone on a fast broke the fast by accepted a glass of juice from Shinde, who promised to accept all the demands. Shinde and Patil together offered garlands to the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Navi Mumbai.
Shinde had held meetings with officials over the activist’s demands and sent a delegation with a draft ordinance on Friday night after which Patil said he was calling off his protest.
Congratulating the Maratha community for the “peaceful protest,” Shinde said that Patil and his supporters showcased a lot of patience. “Everyone was looking forward to this protest and you all have shown a lot of patience and made this protest successful,” Shinde said. “I congratulate you all for the same,” the Chief Minister said on Saturday.
Shinde also emphasised his commitment to the Maratha reservation. “I am the son of a farmer and I know how it feels. I had taken a pledge to give reservations to Marathas and I kept my word. This is an historic moment.”
The chief minister highlighted how his government is working for the welfare of all. “We have never taken any decision for votes but for people’s benefits.”
Shinde emphasised that Patil’s demand was not to take away the reservation for the OBC. “OBC and Marathas live together in villages. Manoj Jarange Patil is of the view that reservations for any community must not be taken,” he said.
Patil in his address to the gathering said, “This struggle was for reservation for Marathas. We came here to give 54 lakh Kunbi certificates. We have been struggling for the past four months. My generation struggled to get this reservation. More than 300 people killed themselves during the struggle.”
On May 5, 2021, the Supreme Court struck down reservations for the Maratha community in colleges, higher educational institutions, and jobs, after noting that there was no valid ground to breach 50 per cent reservation while granting Maratha reservation. (ANI)
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