There are reports that Shiv Sena (UBT) is eyeing former municipal councilor Pravina Morajkar as a potential candidate from Kurla constituency. (Image: Instagram)
The brigade accused Pravina Morajkar of violating the Atrocities Act by filing false cases against members of the Maratha community.
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 accused Morajkar of violating the Atrocities Act by filing false cases against members of the Maratha community. The allegations led to a formal demand from the Brigade, asking the Shiv Sena leadership to reconsider Morajkar’s candidature.
In a letter addressed to Uddhav Thackeray, president of the Sambhaji Brigade in Mumbai highlighted the seriousness of the issue. According to the Brigade, Morajkar, when he was a member of the municipal council, allegedly filed false atrocity cases against more than 11 individuals from the Maratha community on different occasions. The case, he claimed, was filed with the intention of harassing and tarnishing the reputation of the Maratha youth, painting it negatively and causing unnecessary legal trouble.
The Atrocities Act, formally known as the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, is designed to protect marginalized communities from discrimination and violence. However, the Sambhaji Brigade asserted that in this case, it has been blamed by Morajkar for defrauding members of the Maratha community, who are not protected under the Act. He said the act resulted in the targeting of innocent people, causing significant suffering in the community.
This is the letter that Brigade Sambhaji wrote to Uddhav Thackeray
As a result, the Sambhaji Brigade requested the Shiv Sena faction (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) to reconsider its decision and not give election ticket to Morajkar. They argued that candidates who allegedly misused provisions of the law to target certain communities should not be allowed to contest the elections. The brigade fears that the candidate could further alienate the Maratha community, which has raised concerns about abuses of the law.
The controversy has gained significant traction, especially as Maharashtra gears up for the upcoming elections. The dispute over Morajkar’s alleged actions has fueled a broader conversation about the misuse of laws designed to protect vulnerable groups and the potential consequences for inter-community relations. The Maratha community, an important and influential group in the country, has long struggled to have its rights recognized and protected, and the allegations against Morajkar have only increased the tension.
As of now, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction has not given an official response to the allegations or the letter from the Sambhaji Brigade. Analysts and political observers are carefully watching how the party handles the situation, as it could have far-reaching implications for its support base in the Maratha community. With elections on the horizon, any decision on Morajkar’s candidature is likely to affect the party’s position and electoral prospects in key constituencies like Kurla.
The situation remains dynamic, and it will be important to see how political and social organizations deal with the issue, especially given the sensitivity surrounding the concerns of the Maratha community and its potential impact on the electoral landscape in Maharashtra.
