OBC March to MP Assembly Halted; Police Use Water Cannons on Protesters

Bhopal: OBC Mahasabha activists on Monday attempted to march towards the Madhya Pradesh assembly here on the first day of the monsoon session for the implementation of full 27 per cent quota, only to be stopped by the police, who used water cannon to disperse protesters.

Police intercepted the demonstrators at Roshanpura Square after they attempted to proceed towards the House.

Water cannon was used after some protesters climbed over police barricades, officials said.

The OBC Mahasabha has demanded immediate implementation of full 27 per cent reservation for OBCs and withdrawal of the 13 per cent quota currently on hold, completion of pending recruitment processes, and protection of the community's constitutional rights.

Opposition leader Umang Singhar accused the BJP government of attempting to create divisions among communities.

"The government should provide 27 per cent reservation to OBCs," he said.

Lokendra Gurjar, a member of the OBC Mahasabha's national core committee, termed the assembly march a "historic chapter" in the community's fight for self-respect, constitutional rights and social justice.

Alleging that the government responded to a peaceful protest by deploying a water cannon instead of addressing the community's concerns, Gurjar said the agitation would intensify if the demands were not met.

The Madhya Pradesh government had increased the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota from 14 per cent to 27 per cent in 2018. However, the hike remains legally contested.

"The advertisements (of government jobs) mention 27 per cent reservation for OBC, but the actual ratio is only 14 per cent. The names of aspirants selected under the remaining 13 per cent quota are held in abeyance," Gurjar alleged.

He said the protest will be intensified and a "Nyay March" will be taken out to the Madhya Pradesh High Court if the government fails to take concrete steps to implement 27 per cent OBC quota and remove the 13 per cent hold on appointments.

"We will request the High Court, where the reservation matter is pending, to expedite the hearing and facilitate implementation of the full 27 per cent quota," he added.