Curfew in Maharashtra’s Ambad Amid Maratha Protest Escalation: Activist’s Return Sparks Disruptions

Tensions flare in Maharashtra's Ambad taluka as the Maratha community reservation protests intensify, prompting authorities to enforce a curfew amid concerns over law and order. The catalyst for this action stems from activist Manoj Jarange's declared intention to lead protests in Mumbai, advocating for Maratha reservation rights. Jalna collector Srikrushna Panchal highlighted the potential for gatherings in Antarwali Sarati village, where Jarange has been staging a hunger strike, posing a risk of disrupting traffic on the Dhule-Mumbai highway and surrounding areas. The district administration's order mandates the curfew in Ambad taluka from midnight on Monday until further notice, exempting essential services such as government offices, schools, traffic on national highways, milk distribution, media outlets, and hospitals. Jarange's recent movements have added to the unrest. After briefly departing for nearby Bhamberi village, he returned to Antarwali Sarati and resumed medical treatment. This development signals a resurgence in agitation, with Jarange announcing plans for a fresh wave of protests starting Saturday. These protests, including road blockades and other disruptive actions, demand the inclusion of Marathas in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category for reservation. The backdrop of the agitation includes recent legislative efforts to address Maratha reservation. Despite the Maharashtra assembly's passage of a bill for a 10% reservation quota in educational institutes and government jobs for the Maratha community, challenges remain. Courts have struck down similar laws enacted in 2014 and 2019, raising uncertainties about the effectiveness of the recent legislative initiatives. As the situation unfolds, residents brace for potential disruptions while authorities grapple with maintaining peace and order amidst the fervent calls for Maratha reservation rights. #nationalgossip #politicalgossip