Mumbai, Dec 11 (TOI) :  For the first time since the Marathas launched an agitation seeking reservation, leaders of the community welcomed the firm stand taken by CM Devendra Fadnavis in the legislature on Friday.

A convenor of the Maratha Kranti Muk Morcha told TOI that Fadnavis' intention cannot be doubted. "Fadnavis is the first CM, who has made a concrete commitment on reservation for Marathas. We welcome the affidavit filed by the state government before the Bombay HC. However, if there is no relief from the court, we feel the government should promulgate an ordinance for Maratha reservation," he said.

On Friday, the CM told the legislature that the state was committed to granting reservations to Marathas and other backwards communities, like Dhangars and Koli, but would wait for the Bombay high court verdict on a quota for Muslims.
 
However, the convenor said the CM appears to be weak on halting the abuse of the SC\ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. "We never asked the CM to abolish the Act, we are of the view that the provisions of the Act have been abused to harass the community. We demand that each and every case registered under the Act be probed independently," he said.

On the proposed rally in Mumbai, he said no decision has been taken on the date. "We will wait for the outcome of the ongoing case pending before the HC. If there is no relief and the government fails to bring in an ordinance, we plan a road blockade across the state. We feel a morcha will not help us secure reservation," he said.

The convenor said that Fadnavis should ensure that official orders are issued in a time-bound manner to ensure that the promises made in the House are implemented. "Announcements were made in the past too, but no official orders were issued," he said.

Though the Marathas have been demanding reservation for a long time, the Kopardi rape and murder of a minor girl led to morchas across the state against the alleged suppression of the community.