Maratha Kranti Morcha rally: Protests called off, CM Devendra Fadnavis announces sops for community

Mumbaikars are facing a harrowing time on Wednesday due to silent protest march being held by the 'Maratha Kranti Morcha' to press for its various demands, including reservation for Marathas. Nearly 5-8 lakh members of the politically powerful community are participating in the mammoth 'mook morcha' (silent procession) which began from Jijamata Udyan Byculla and culminate at the Azad Maidan in Mumbai.

Image Credit: IANS

Mumbai: Mumbaikars faced a harrowing time on Wednesday due to silent protest march being held by the 'Maratha Kranti Morcha' to press for its various demands, including reservation for Marathas.

Nearly 5-8 lakh members of the politically powerful community participated in the mammoth 'mook morcha' (silent procession) which began from Jijamata Udyan Byculla and culminate at the Azad Maidan in Mumbai.

As it happened:-

- Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj scholarship scheme benefits to be extended to all 605 courses and 60% marks criteria wll be removed: Maharashtra CM

- Traffic update: Vehicular movement resumes on JJ flyover and Dr. Dadabhai Naoroji road (CST), tweets Mumbai Police

- Maratha community should be granted reservation, people from other castes manage to get jobs. what wrong have we done?, says another Maratha Krani Morcha supporters 

- Don't know when we will get reservation? Marathis from across country have gathered to put forward our demands, Maratha Kranti Morcha supporter tells ANI

- Will request the Backward Class Commission to fast track the process and submit it to the Bombay high court for considering the grounds for reservation: CM Fadnavis 

- Matter referred to Backward classes commission which will do a study of feasibility of giving reservation to Maratha community: CM Fadnavis 

- Govt announces land and grant of Rs 5 crore to build hostels for students from Maratha community in every district, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis in assembly

- Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis meets representatives from Maratha Morcha and leaders from all political parties

- CM Devendra Fadnavis agrees to main demands of agitating Maratha community; extends all educational concessions that OBC receive to the Marathas, reports TOI

- Maratha Kranti Morcha protest: Community members chanting slogans as they pass-by the JJ flyover, reports Mumbai Mirror

- Traffic update: BA Road is now open for access till Khada Parsi; JJ Flyover still closed, tweets Mumbai Police

- The meeting between the steering committee of Maratha Mook Morcha and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is currently underway. Fadnavis is expected to issue a statement following the meet.

-Here are some more pictures of Mumbai's jam-packed CSMT railway station around 3 pm.

Jam packed CSMT Railway station at 3pm #MarathaKrantiMorcha @smart_mumbaikar @SV99999 @IndianRailMedia @RidlrMUM @LocalPressCo pic.twitter.com/0Ecg7EwlNu — Mumbai Railway Users (@mumbairailusers) August 9, 2017

-Won’t end protest till a decision is taken on the reservation for Marathas, warn protesters.

-Central Railway announces special train services between CST-Panvel and Thane-Kalyan routes to help commuters affected by Maratha Kranti March.

-Delegation of Maratha Kranti Morcha with Vinayak Mete, Shiv Sangram Party leader arrives at Vidhan Bhavan to meet Maharashtra CM Fadnavis.

Mumbai: Delegation of Maratha Morcha with Vinayak Mete,Shiv Sangram party leader arrived at Vidhan Bhavan to meet Maharashtra CM Fadnavis — ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2017

-The state government is expected to constitute a cabinet sub-committee to expedite the reservation procedure. CM Devendra Fadnavis is expected to make an announcement soon.

-Maharashtra government likely to announce a package for Maratha students, which will include a reduction in the percentage needed to secure admission to professional courses and freeships. 

-Maratha Kranti Morcha volunteers gathering at the Azad Maidan.

-Actor Riteish Deshmukh tweets a photo of today's rally of Maratha Kranti Morcha.

Silent Strength #MarathaInMumbai #MarathaKrantiMorcha pic.twitter.com/ZpbNetMVL2 — Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) August 9, 2017

-Ambedkar Road opened for north-bound traffic from Byculla, say reports.

-Maratha Kranti Morcha volunteers start cleaning up the streets as rally proceeds to Azad Maidan.

-A tweet from Maratha Kranti Morcha showing Muslim brothers and sisters supporting their cause.  

Muslim Brother and Sister Support to #MarathaKrantiMorcha . pic.twitter.com/SK03X9h82j — #MarathaKrantiMorcha (@Liberal_India1) August 9, 2017

-Former Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan joins the Maratha Kranti Morcha rally.

-Biscuits and water being distributed to Maratha Kranti Morcha protesters.

-Muslim Council Trust extends support to the Maratha Kranti Morcha.

-Mumbai's iconic CST terminus turns saffron as Maratha Kranti Morcha protesters start assembling there.

-Maratha Kranti Morcha rally reaches CST.

-Kids dressed as great Maratha icon Shivaji participating in the silent protest too.  

-Smooth traffic at Haji Ali.

-Curry road bridge opened for vehicles at 11.45 hrs . #Marathakrantimorcha

-A visual of the JJ Bridge as the Morcha participants engulf the area.  

J.JBridge is totally Full,More Public Come From byculla#MarathaKrantiMorcha #MarathaInMumbai@dna @IndianExpress @IndianExpress @TheQuint pic.twitter.com/c2fjoqRiOX — #MarathaKrantiMorcha (@Liberal_India1) August 9, 2017

-Maratha Kranti Morcha rally being monitored by drones and CCTV cameras installed by Mumbai Police. 

-Shiv Sena, NCP demand justice for Kopardi rape and murder victim.

-Protest peaceful so far. No major injuries reported, say civic doctors. However, 32 people have been treated for dizziness so far.

-All roads leading to Azad Maidan cordoned off.

-In one serpentine queue, the march reaches halfway across JJ Flyover.

-At least 1.5 lakh participants at the starting point of the march, claims Mumbai Police.

-The crowd marches on JJ Flyover, heading towards Azad Maidan.

-We haven’t barred anyone from entering Azad Maidan, say rally organisers.

-BJP chief Ashish Shelar reportedly prevented from entering Azad Maidan - the place where the rally will end.

-Train services on the western line running smoothly. 

-Leaders from all major political parties are expected to join the march. 

-Lal Baug Flyover closed to avoid chaos ahead of the Maratha Kranti Morcha rally.

-Maratha Kranti Morcha head arrives at JJ Flyover in Mumbai.

-Roads from Marine Drive, Worli leading to Nariman point clear. Cops manning the traffic.

-A view of the UNESCO World Heritage Building of Central Railway in view of Maratha Kranti Morcha rally. 

View from #UNESCO world heritage bldg of @Central_Railway. #MarathaKrantiMorcha @MCGM_BMC headquarters @dna @RidlrMUM pic.twitter.com/MFOCndgf1V — Shashank (@Shashankrao06) August 9, 2017

-Maratha Kranti Morcha rally begins from Jijamata Udyan Byculla towards Azad Maidan.

-Smooth ride on Western Express Highway from Borivali to Bandra.

-Roads clear from Parel to Vashi via Eastern express: Reports

-Heavy police deployment across Mumbai. Cops present at Byculla flyover. Medical team stationed by BMC in view of the Maratha Kranti Morcha rally

Heavy bandobast in Mumbai @MumbaiPolice personnel at Byculla flyover. Medical arrangement by #BMC. #MarathaKrantiMorcha @RidlrMUM pic.twitter.com/gTzHba8ZvH — Diwakar Sharma (@DiwakarSharmaa) August 9, 2017

-Lion Gate to Horniman Circle jammed, claim users on Twitter.

-Heavy jam reported between Mantralaya to Marine Drive; some protestors at Marine Drive.

-Schools lying between Dadar to Colaba closed due to Maratha Kranti Morcha rally

-BEST has stopped all short distance bus routes between Byculla and CST, says Ridlr Mumbai.

-Marine Drive to Nariman Point badly jammed.

-Harbor line trains running on time.

-Slow traffic outside Lower Parel Station East/Currey Road Bridge. 

-Anand Nagar Thane checknaka is congested due to Maratha Kranti Morcha rally.

-According to ANI, the vehicular movement from Byculla to Azad Maidan and at some other places has been affected due to the rally.

Mumbai: Traffic movement affected at various places due to #MarathaKrantiMorcha rally. Visuals from Thane Eastern Express Highway. pic.twitter.com/2nBrt4qSzZ — ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2017

Ahead of the rally, Mumbai Police has issued a traffic advisory, cautioning the commuters to avoid certain routes.   

Traffic arrangements to minimise inconvenience to citizens, during the silent morcha today from Byculla to Azad Maidan b/w 9 am-5 pm pic.twitter.com/oTvBFJUFe0 — Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) August 9, 2017

What is the protest all about

Lakhs of people, including men and women, students, working professionals, lawyers and doctors from the community, have joined the march.

Importantly, 'Mumbai dabbawalas', who run the tiffin services across the city, have decided to take the day off to participate in the morcha.

Nearly 450 schools and junior colleges across south Mumbai will remain shut today. The announcement was made by Education Minister Vinod Tawde in the State Assembly, following which a circular was issued by the deputy director of school education, Mumbai.

“Maratha Kranti Morcha rally has been organised on August 9, 2017 in Mumbai, due to which traffic snarls are likely to occur. There are chances of schools buses getting stuck in these traffic snarls, thus inconveniencing school students. Hence, it is decided that school en route Maratha Kranti Morcha must remain closed,” the circular reads.

Meanwhile, the Central Railway has made special arrangements for commuters.

The protest march is being held by the Maratha Kranti Morcha to press for their demands, including punishment for culprits in Kopardi rape and murder case, quota in education and government jobs, Amendment in SC, ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act) to stop its misuse, loan waiver to farmers to curb suicides, and guaranteed rate for agricultural produce.

The Kopardi rape and murder case, which was equated with the Nirbhaya case of Delhi in view of the grisly brutality involved, happened on July 13, 2016 evening at Kopardi village in Ahmednagar district.

The girl went missing for a few hours, after which her mutilated, blood-splattered body was found under a tree in a field.

The crime sent shock waves through social and political circles and led to a ruckus in the Maharashtra legislature for two days during its monsoon session in July.

The rally, is being organised by the Sakal Maratha Samaj, an umbrella organisation of several Maratha groups, will organise the event.