RPI-A extends support to Maratha community’s demand for quota

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Published on: 23 Sep 2016 11:48 PM GMT
RPI-A extends support to Maratha community’s demand for quota
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Mumbai: The Republic Party of India-Athwale (RPI-A) – an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Maharashtra as well as at the Centre– on Friday extended support to Maratha community's call for reservation in the state.

On the upper caste Maratha’s demand of eliminating the Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the party, however, said it could be reviewed but not abolished.

“RPI-A had already condemned the rape and killing of a girl in Ahmednagar district’s Kopardi village in July last. Now, we strongly support the Maratha community's demand for quota,” said vice president Mahendra Shirke who heads the party’s Maratha front.

It may be recalled that the accused in Kopardi rape case were Dalits while the victim was a Maratha. An outburst of anger was sparked among the politically dominant Maratha community in the wake of the incident. Furthermore, the community has been holding silent marches across the state since the incident took place.

Other highlights:

  • Maratha community’s prime demands are abolishment of the SC, ST act and reservations for its members in education and jobs.
  • RPI-A, which is favouring the community's call for quota, mainly represents Dalits.

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