Maratha quota impasse: Video puts Shinde government in spot, CM calls it ‘false propaganda’

The CM also took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), urging detractors not to heighten tensions among castes by giving traction to false videos circulating on social media.

Urging people not to fall prey to false propaganda, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday hit out at a viral video clip which showed him making apparently frivolous remarks on the Maratha quota agitation along with Deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis, remarking that the distorted video was “a highly mischievous act” on part of his opponents.

As the deadlock over the Maratha reservation continued with pro-Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil’s indefinite strike entering its sixteenth day, the video clip, shot before the commencement of a press conference after the all-party meeting on September 11, triggered a fresh bout of political sabre-rattling between ruling and Opposition parties.  

The video, which showed CM Shinde, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar sharing a light moment prior to the press conference, giving the impression that Mr. Shinde was treating the Maratha reservation issue with apparent levity, was posted by a number of opposition leaders including MP Omraje Nimbalkar, who belongs to the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena.

It was trolled by irate pro-quota activists, who lashed out at the government’s insensitivity and lack of commitment to granting reservation for the Marathas.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Mr. Shinde immediately clarified that the video clip was deliberately distorted and taken wildly out of context, accusing Opposition leaders of calculatedly attempting to stoke tension between the government and the Maratha quota protestors and mislead community youth.

He said the government was “extremely serious” and committed to ensuring a foolproof quota for the Maratha community.

“All that we [Mr. Shinde and Dy CMs Mr. Fadnavis and Mr. Ajit Pawar] were saying before the press conference was that we would only restrict the meeting to the reservation issue, and not entertain political statements from the leaders present. The video clip has been deliberately distorted and in order to sow doubts and mislead the Maratha community. We urge the Maratha community not to fall prey to false and malicious propaganda. Our government is very clear and sincere about granting reservation for the community,” Mr. Shinde said.