RPI (Gavai) to take out protest march during winter session

The Gavai faction of Republican Party of India (RPI) will take out a protest march here on December 12 during the winter session of Maharashtra legislature to press for various demands of the Dalit community.
A march of OBC communities on December 8 and another by Maratha-Kunbi community on December 14 here have already been announced. The city will host the winter session of state legislature from December 5.
Rajendra Gavai, son of the late RPI leader R S Gavai, said one of the main demands for which the march was being organised was amendment to the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (which makes special provisions for crimes against Dalits and tribals) to make it more effective.

Interestingly, the Maratha community which has been taking out huge 'silent marches' across Maharashtra over the last two months is demanding amendment to the same act to stop its misuse. Some sections of Maratha agitators want its outright abolition.
Gavai, speaking to reporters here yesterday, however stressed that his party's march "is not to counter the Maratha agitation or in response to their demands".
Other demands of his party are financial aid for those filing the cases of atrocity, increase in scholarship for students from backward classes and doubling of number of hostels for students from scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

Gavai also said he fully supported the Maratha community's demand of capital punishment for the accused in Kopardi gang-rape and murder case (which triggered the Maratha silent marches).