Fadnavis cancels Pandharpur temple-visit due to proposed protest by Marathas
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has canceled his tomorrow's visit to a temple in Pandharpur town in view of the proposed protest by the Maratha community seeking reservation in government jobs. As part of a long-standing tradition, the Chief Minister every year offers prayers at the temple dedicated to Lord Vitthal and Rukmini at Pandharpur in Solapur district on the occasion of "Ashadhi Ekadashi".
Maratha community demands reservation in government jobs, education
Maratha community leaders have threatened to disrupt the religious event if their various demands, including reservation in government jobs and education, are not accepted by the government. "If Fadnavis visits Pandharpur on July-23, we will hold a massive protest there and disrupt the puja," a pro-quota leader of the community had said. Last year, the community members had organized a huge rally in Mumbai.
10 lakh people visit Pandharpur every year on 'Ashadhi Ekadashi'
Despite assurances from Fadnavis to fulfill the demands, nothing concrete has been done till now, the community leaders claimed. Every year around 10 lakh people reach Pandharpur to visit the temple on the occasion of "Ashadhi Ekadashi". Ekadashi marks the culmination of a pilgrimage, called "waari", that devotees undertake from across the state on foot to reach the temple town in western Maharashtra.
