Keypoints:
- Sambhaji Raje said that agitation will start from the Shahu Maharaj’s Samadhi Sthal at Kolhapur on June 16 for the Maratha reservation.
- He said that reservation is the right of Marathas and the protest will be for the 70% poor from the community.
On Sunday, the 348th coronation ceremony anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, his descendant Sambhaji Raje who is the Rajya Sabha MP said that he will be starting the agitation from the Shahu Maharaj’s Samadhi Sthal at Kolhapur on June 16 for the Maratha reservation.
He was addressing the community from Raigad fort and he said that reservation is the right of Marathas and the protest will be for the 70% poor from the community. On the occasion of 348th coronation ceremony anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Raje paid his respect to the Maratha warrior king on Sunday.
While he was addressing the community, he said that, “I do not want to politicise the Maratha quota issue, but the agitation for sure. I am fighting for the poor Marathas and not rich ones. I am not interested in allegations and counter allegations going on by the current ruler and erstwhile ruler in Maharashtra.”
He asserted,”I will not tolerate any injustice on the Maratha Community as reservation is their right. I am fighting for 70 per cent of the community which has been affected following the quota cancellation.”
Further he said that, “Maratha Community is passing through a tough time. When others can get quota then why can’t Marathas. Both the governments should tell how and when the reservation will be given.”
It was on June 6, 1674 that Shivaji Maharaj was formally crowned as Chhatrapati (emperor) of his realm at Raigad fort.
On May 5, Supreme court had struck down the Maratha quota and had termed it as ‘unconstitutional’ after which the state has appointed a committee led by former chief justice of Allahabad high court Dilip Bhosale to study SC order.
On May 5 2021, the Supreme Court had strict down reservation in government jobs and educational institutions for Maratha Community which was brought in by Maharashtra government in 2018, saying that the 50% cap imposed earlier was exceeded.
