The Maratha community in the city will hold a silent march on August 9 to mark the first anniversary of the Maratha Kranti Muk Morcha. The rally held on August 9 last year in Aurangabad triggered similar protests in cities across the State.
Sanjeev Bhor Patil, one of the organisers of the rally, said, “We will hold the biggest rally this year in Mumbai. It will start from Jijamata Udyan in Byculla and end at Azad Maidan.”
The march is being organised by Sakal Maratha Samaj, an umbrella organisation of Maratha groups. The Marathas have been holding silent marches in different parts of the State to press for their demands, including punishment for culprits in the Kopardi rape and murder case, quota in education and government jobs, amendments to the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act) to stop its misuse, loan waiver to farmers to curb suicides, and guaranteed rates for agricultural produce.
Mr. Patil said, “A meeting will be held in Kopardi village of Karjat tehsil in Ahmednagar on July 13. A girl from the community was raped and murdered on that day last year, which triggered an outrage among the Marathas and led to the silent marches. The meeting will be held in her memory.”
A member of the organising committee, Nanasaheb Patil said, “The code of conduct for the rally will be the same. There will be no slogan shouting and everyone will march silently and peacefully. A meeting will also be held in June 6 in Raigad fort, where the members would take a pledge to continue the struggle for the welfare of the community.”
