Athawale supports Maratha reservation demand

Extending support to the ongoing Maratha reservation demand, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Wednesday emphasised the need to raise the reservation cap from 50 per cent to 75 per cent.

Speaking to ANI, Republican Party of India leader Athawale appealed the protestors not to be violent and stage their protests peacefully.

"I support Maratha reservation demand. I appeal to protesters to protest peacefully. We need to make a law in Parliament and raise the reservation cap from 50 per cent to 75 per cent. I will also raise this issue in NDA also," he said.

The Maratha community has been protesting across Maharashtra demanding reservation in government jobs and education. They called for a bandh in the state today that turned violent.

Some protestors set several vehicles on fire and vandalised public buses in Navi Mumbai's Ghansoli and Wagle estate area of Thane, causing disruption in bus services. They also blocked a local train in Thane.

Besides reservation for the Maratha community, loan waiver, Kopardi rape, unemployment are also some of the other issues against which the community is protesting.