Lagatar24 Desk
Beed, Oct 30: Pro-Maratha reservation protesters on Monday set fire to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Prakash Solanke’s home in Beed, Maharashtra.
Solanke stated that he and his family were unharmed and that the fire had caused a significant loss of property.
“I was inside my home when it was attacked. Fortunately, none of my family members or staff were injured. We are all safe but there is a huge loss of property due to fire,” Solanke said.
This occurs during an ongoing indefinite hunger strike by activist Manoj Jarange, who commenced his fast on October 25 in Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district.
Manoj Jarange Patil, a Maratha Morcha coordinator, is demanding reservations for the Maratha people by going on a hunger strike until death.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde responded to the incident by saying, “Manoj Jarange Patil (Maratha reservation activist) should take note of the fact what turn this protest is taking. It is going in the wrong direction.”
He also advised the public to refrain from instigating violence in the name of Maratha reservation, highlighting that the actions of specific individuals are raising doubts about the entire movement.
“Those who are involved in violence should also keep in mind that it also harms the Maratha society and their families will also suffer due to it,” he said.
On the other hand, NCP Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule attributed the Home Minister and the state government for their shortcomings.
“This is a complete failure of the Home Minister of Maharashtra and the government. This is the failure of triple-engine government in Maharashtra. Today an MLA’s house is set on fire, what is the Home Ministry and Home Minister doing? It is their responsibility,” Sule said.
The Maharashtra subcommittee convened today for a critical meeting to deliberate on the Maratha reservation matter. Following the meeting, Chief Minister Shinde announced that an advisory board led by a number of former judges had been established by the government to look into the issue.