The brigade has accused Pravina Morajkar of misusing the Atrocities Act by filing false cases against members of the Maratha community.
A controversy has erupted in Mumbai after the Sambhaji Brigade strongly opposed the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction’s decision to consider former municipal councilor Pravina Morajkar as a potential candidate from the Kurla constituency. The brigade has accused Morajkar of misusing the Atrocities Act by filing false cases against members of the Maratha community. These allegations have led to a formal request from the Brigade, urging the Shiv Sena leadership to reconsider Morajkar’s candidacy.
In a letter addressed to Uddhav Thackeray, the president of the Sambhaji Brigade’s Mumbai chapter highlighted the seriousness of the issue. According to the Brigade, Morajkar, during her tenure as a municipal councilor, allegedly lodged false atrocity cases against more than 11 individuals from the Maratha community on various occasions. These cases, they claimed, were filed with the intent to harass and tarnish the reputation of the Maratha youth, painting them in a negative light and subjecting them to unnecessary legal troubles.
The Atrocity Act, officially known as the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, is designed to protect marginalised communities from discrimination and violence. However, the Sambhaji Brigade contended that in this instance, it has been misused by Morajkar to falsely implicate members of the Maratha community, which is not covered under the Act. They have argued that her actions have led to the wrongful targeting of innocent individuals, causing significant distress within the community.
Here’s the letter written by the Sambhaji Brigade to Uddhav Thackeray
As a result, the Sambhaji Brigade has demanded that the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction reconsider their decision and refrain from offering an election ticket to Morajkar. They have argue that a candidate who has allegedly abused legal provisions to target a specific community should not be allowed to contest elections. The Brigade fears that such a candidate could further alienate the Maratha community, which has already expressed concerns over the misuse of the law.
The controversy has gained significant traction, especially as Maharashtra gears up for upcoming elections. The dispute over Morajkar’s alleged actions has sparked a broader conversation about the misuse of laws designed to protect vulnerable groups and the potential consequences for inter-community relations. The Maratha community, a significant and influential group in the state, has long fought for recognition and protection of its rights, and the allegations against Morajkar have only heightened these tensions.
As of now, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction has not issued an official response to the allegations or the letter from the Sambhaji Brigade. Political analysts and observers are keenly watching how the party handles the situation, as it could have far-reaching implications for their support base among the Maratha community. With elections on the horizon, any decision regarding Morajkar’s candidacy is likely to influence the party’s standing and electoral prospects in key constituencies like Kurla.
The situation remains dynamic, and it will be crucial to see how both political and social organisations navigate the matter, especially given the sensitivities surrounding the Maratha community’s concerns and their potential impact on the electoral landscape in Maharashtra.
