Maratha candle march in Mumbai on July 13 to mark death anniversary of Kopardi victim

This is apart from the massive rally announced by the Maratha Kranti Morcha (Maratha Revolution March), apex body of all Maratha organisations, in the city in Mumbai on August 9

To mark the first death anniversary of the minor girl who was raped and brutally murdered at Kopardi in Ahmednagar district last year, the Maratha community will hold a candle march in Mumbai on July 13.

The Kopardi rape and murder case had triggered Maratha community protests across the state.(HT FILE)

The community members have decided to gather at Gateway of India to offer their condolences.

This is apart from the massive rally announced by the Maratha Kranti Morcha (Maratha Revolution March), apex body of all Maratha organisations, in the city in Mumbai on August 9.

The Kopardi rape and murder case had triggered Maratha community protests across the state.The victim was from the community.

“We want to condole the death of the deceased and thus have decided to hold candle march in Mumbai on July 13. It was the same day when she was brutally murdered,” said Virendra Pawar, one of the organisers.

Maratha, a politically and economically influential community in Maharashtra has been agitating for reservation which could affect political equations in the state. The community protests across state stirred the Maharashtra politics for several months last year.

Around 57 massive rallies were taken out by the community members demanding death sentence for the accused, dilution of the Atrocities Act (Prevention of Atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Tribes Act), reservation in government jobs and education for the community and many others such demands.

To condole her death, members will gather in the evening at Gateway of India from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Panvel and other neighbouring areas.

On the same day, another condolence programme has been organised at Kopardi of Ahmednagar district. Members residing in other parts of the state can participate in the program as per their convenience, Pawar said.

“The candle march will also remind the government that even after one year, the girl and her parents are awaiting for justice,” he added.