Speaker orders SIT probe against Maratha leader Jarange Patil

Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar on Tuesday directed the state government to set up a special investigation team to probe the controversial remarks made by Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil against deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and the government.

Narwekar called for the probe after BJP MLA Ashish Shelar claimed that Patil's stir was a deliberate attempt to create "unrest" in the state at the behest of some elements. "While we support the demand of the Maratha community's reservation issue, He (Jarange Patil) has been giving statements like Maharashtra will be burnt down... Who is behind these statements? Who can support such statements? We need to find out who is behind all this. We need an SIT probe," said Shelar in the state assembly while he was supported by other BJP MLAs.

Speaking in Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district on Sunday, Patil abused Fadnavis and alleged that the latter was trying to kill him. The activist also said he would march to Mumbai and protest outside the residence of the deputy CM.


During the assembly session, Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, said that Patil's agitation was a "conspiracy to create unrest" in the state.