Mumbai : Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Thursday batted for the Marathas and reiterated his demand of 25 per cent reservation for the upper castes from various categories including Maratha, Patels, Rajputs, Gujjars, etc.
Speaking to media in Mumbai, the leader of Republican Party of India said that with Marathas community demanding reservations through their silent marches across the state and various other communities of different states are demanding for reservation for their community. “The Patels are demanding reservation in Gujarat, Jatts are demanding reservation for their community in Haryana, Rajputs and Gujjar have made demands in Rajasthan. I am of the opinion that all these communities should be given reservation,” he said.
“I am in favour of providing 25 per cent reservation for the economically backward sections belonging to upper caste from the 50% left for general people. Though, this issue is not connected directly with my ministry, but I will meet the Prime Minister and other leaders regarding this,” Athawale said. He added that in order to increase the quantum of reservation beyond the existing quota for SC, ST and OBCs, a Constitutional amendment should be made to avoid any legal hurdle.
However, Athawale, who is in favour of reservations for Marathas, has firmly opposed the community’s demand of repealing the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. “There is no question of repealing the Act. Yes, if there are any specific suggestions for minor changes which would stop it (the Act) from being misused, my ministry will definitely study it and take it up,” Athawale said. Earlier, Athawale had made a statement that if Maratha’s are demanding a relook at the Atrocity Act, the Dalits community of the state would retaliate with counter-morchas.
The Maratha community has been organising ‘silent morchas’ since August 9. It started in the aftermath of a 17-year-old Maratha girl’s brutal rape and murder in Khopardi, Ahmednagar. Maratha community, through their morchas, have made three demands including reservation for the community, gallows for the rapists and a relook at the Atrocity Act.
