IN THE PUSHBACK against the demand for Maratha quota, NCP Ajit Pawar group leader and minister Chhagan Bhujbal has taken the lead. At a rally in Elgar recently, near the site of Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil’s village, he called on OBCs to retaliate to the violence by Maratha protesters in the same vein. Bhujbal speaks to The Indian Express on the way ahead. Excerpts:
At a time when half the state Cabinet was trying to pacify Jarange-Patil, why did you choose to lock horns with him?
I have supported the Mandal Commission for the past 35 years and my stand has not changed. I have also been in support of the Maratha reservation since we were in alliance with the Congress. Our only demand was to not touch OBC reservation. Each and every party, including Sharad Pawar’s NCP, the Congress, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) and BJP, have an identical position on the issue. Jarange-Patil demanded reservation as per his Constitutional rights but started targeting me for no reason and used abusive language. I was calm but then they (quota protesters) started attacking and vandalising properties of our MLAs and leaders. It was pre-planned and people could have died in the violence.
Are these the people who consider Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as their idol? It was Mahatma Phule who searched the memorial of Maharaj, started Shiv Jayanti (birth anniversary of Shivaji) celebrations and wrote a ballad in his honour. Are you going to tell us the greatness of Maharaj? The police were silent because they faced action after the lathicharge on a violent Maratha crowd in the Antarwali-Sarati village (the incident fanned Maratha agitationists’ anger). Only then I decided to speak up. Someone had to.
Did the state government fail to maintain law and order?
The real reason behind the attack on the police (in Jalna) should have been publicised. Senior leaders should have visited the houses of MLAs, which were attacked by mobs. I have no idea why nobody spoke in favour of the police. You should ask them. I spoke because I couldn’t hold myself back. Many MLAs, even the Deputy Chief Minister (Devendra Fadnavis) received abusive messages. I chose to speak up as someone had to speak against this terror.
Did you raise the issue in the Cabinet?
Not only in the Cabinet, but I even asked at the all-party meeting why the police were inactive, but nobody answered. I don’t know why. I did my work. I always speak, irrespective of whether the house of a Maratha or an OBC has been damaged.
Is the government scared of Marathas?
I don’t know. But their (Maratha) rallies are being held till 2 am without any hindrance, while we are being told to wind up by 10 pm. But I will continue to speak. The government, including the judges who go there, should have a wider view of the matter and ensure that no injustice is meted out to OBCs. I want to ask the people of the state whether they approve of the violence, including banning entry into villages and hurling abuses? If not, why is no one speaking up?
Was it wrong on behalf of the government to send ministers to meet Jarange-Patil?
The Deputy CMs did not go. I don’t know why others went because ultimately my boss is the CM (Eknath Shinde). Initially, the CM asked me about extending Kunbi certificates (to Marathas) if evidence was found. I supported it. But then the number (5,000) of gathered evidence increased to 11,000 and later to 13,500 within two days. How is it possible? Later, the scope was extended to the entire state. There are examples where entries were made with a pen. If this continues, OBC reservation will be damaged for sure.
Shouldn’t you as a minister trust the government?
I do. But there is also a need to have people within the government who provide a reality check. There has to be an individual who will speak about what is happening to OBCs. We held the meeting (the Elgar rally) for the same. If we don’t speak up, no one will protect our reservation. I was criticised for using provocative language. I have been in social life for over 50 years and am currently a minister. I would never disturb peace in Maharashtra. But shouldn’t I give a call for self -defence when a mob is attacking houses and tearing posters? Why is no political leader, social intellectual or editor coming forward to denounce the violence in Beed? Is it only for the sake of Maratha votes? Then, it is time to tell them that OBCs make up 54% of the state’s electorate.
Are you speaking for the OBCs on behalf of the BJP?
Nobody has ever dictated anything to me, be it Balasaheb Thackeray or Sharad Pawar. My script is not written by the BJP. My words draw inspiration from Chhatrapati (Shivaji Mahraj), Shahu (Maharaj), (Jyotiba) Phule and (Babasaheb) Ambedkar. I will continue to fight for OBCs, backward classes and even Marathas.
Isn’t it your double speak as you are Cabinet minister as well?
I am ready to tender my resignation. I am ready to quit as MLA if I am asked to, due to the stand I take. I obey the directives of my party, where Ajit Pawar is supreme, the CM is my boss and the BJP is the largest party in the Cabinet. If they ask me to resign, I will. I work for OBCs and I will not stop doing that.
Has Ajit Pawar asked you to tone down on the issue?
Ajit Dada has clarified that if Jarange-Patil is presenting his community’s stand, Bhujbal is putting forth his. He said everyone should present their respective sides without hurting others. Even today, I support Maratha reservation. I will speak only when my community or I am targeted.
What is the solution to this problem?
A caste census must be held. Let there be clarity. We will accept it, even if we are wrong about the numbers. We want to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue, but we don’t know when we can meet him.
