While Maratha rallies continue to rock districts of Maharashtra everyday, the OBCs are now up in arms. A rally organised by Maharashtra Mali Samaj Mahasangh in Nashik was attended by over a couple of lakhs people today, say observers. This is the first rally organised to counter rallies of Maratha organisations.
Mali is an OBC community with strong presence in Nashik. Former deputy chief minister of Maharashtra Chhagan Bhujbal is the community’s tallest leader. The protesters made two demands — free Bhujbal (who is now in jail) — and don’t touch the existing 27 percent reservation for OBCs while considering the demand for Maratha reservation.
The organisers released a memorandum, which alleged,
We firmly believe that it’s a political conspiracy to silence Bhujbal’s voice. There is a systematic attempt to defame him. We have full faith in the Judicial system and we are sure that we will get justice. But the investigating agencies should stop misleading the courts. It’s unjust to silence the voice of the OBCs and it is sending a wrong message to the community.
Bhujbal was arrested by Enforcement Directorate after rounds of inquiry in March 2016 in a money laundering case which allegedly caused a loss of Rs 870 crore to the exchequer. He’s been lodged at high security Arthur Road jail in Mumbai.
Bhujbal supporters accused Fadnavis government of targeting him while taking no action against Maratha leaders like Ajit Pawar and Sunil Tatkare, who too face serious charges of corruption.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar has backed Bhujbal, but the party didn’t openly support today’s rally. NCP leaders Dhananjay Munde, who is Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council, and MLA Jitendra Awhad participated in the rally. Both Munde and Awhad belong to Vanjari community, which is another powerful OBC block.
Are OBCs in Maharashtra Consolidating?
Although the protest rally in Nashik was mainly organised by Bhujbal supporters from Mali community, it was also attended by Vanjari leaders as well.
On 17 September, Maharashtra cabinet minister Pankaja Munde, who belongs to the Vanjari community, had met Bhujbal at JJ hospital in Mumbai. He was admitted there after he complained of fever, weakness and headache.
Pankaja’s father Gopinath Munde was close to Bhujbal and the two had shared the stage at several OBC functions. Today’s rally had placards with pictures of Bhujbal and Munde. Several participants gave sensational sound bites to local TV channels, which were played again and again throughout the day:
They finished Gopinath Munde, we will not let them finish Chhagan Bhujbal.
With the Marathas coming together, Pankaja Munde is aware that the OBCs are anxious. They fear that their reservations could be compromised to accommodate Marathas. Her meeting with Bhujbal is seen as a signal of unification of two major OBC blocks in the state.
Chief Minister Fadnavis, however, has taken a strict stand against Bhujbal. Pankaja Munde, whose chief ministerial ambition is public knowledge, is trying to expand her OBC base to make her claim to the top job stronger, say experts.
Meanwhile, Marathas Continue to March On!
Maratha community continues to hold huge rallies in various districts everyday. Today, one of the biggest rallies was organised in Satara, which was the capital of Maratha kingdom.
The rally also assumed significance as it was attended by Shivaji’s 13th descendant Udayanraje Bhosale. Bhonsale is popular among Maratha youngsters and has won the Satara Lok Sabha constituency by a record margin on an NCP ticket.The final rally for demanding Maratha reservation will be held in Mumbai this month.
OBC leaders are contemplating holding Nashik-like rallies in other districts with strong OBC presence. A Dalit rally was held in Yavatmal district on 29 September. Huge rallies on the lines of castes has divided Maharashtra like never before.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)