Mumbai: “The Sakal Maratha Samaj raised the demand for Maratha reservation through 58 morchas across Maharashtra. The passage of the Maratha reservation act in the Vidhan Sabha today is a success of their struggle. I congratulate the Maratha community on their victory!” said Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Ashok Chavan while talking to reporters at the Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai.
“The Congress government’s decision to grant Maratha reservation has finally been implemented today,” he added.
Chavan said that Congress government had granted reservations to Maratha community. This decision was challenged in the Bombay High Court. The BJP-Shiv Sena government delayed the formation of the Backward Classes Commission and the completion of legal formalities for more than four years.
“The delay of the BJP-ShivSena government in granting Maratha reservation forced lakhs of people to come onto the streets in protest. 40 young people had to sacrifice their lives for Maratha reservation,” said Chavan.
Faced with the anger of the Maratha community and state wide protests against the government, the Maratha reservation bill was introduced in the legislative assembly.
“The original decision to grant Maratha reservation was made by the Congress government. Therefore, the Congress party has always given full support to the Maratha community’s demand for reservation and their agitation,” said Chavan.
“The historic decision of the Congress government to introduce Maratha reservation has been finally sealed in the legislature today. I share the joy of the Maratha community in celebrating this reservation,” he added.
