The Maharashtra government, under the leadership of Eknath Shinde, has green lit a draft bill proposing a 10% reservation for the Maratha community in both educational institutions and government employment. This move extends the reservation beyond the 50% threshold, marking a significant development in the state’s reservation policy. The decision was made during a special session of the Vidhan Sabha, which was convened for a single day with the Maratha reservation as its focal point.
The special session was called in response to the prolonged fasting protest of Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil. Both Chief Minister Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis had promised to address the reservation issue during this session, as Jarange-Patil’s health had begun to deteriorate after seven days of fasting.
Jarange-Patil, a prominent figure in the demand for Maratha reservation, insisted that any reservation for the Maratha community should be within the existing 50% cap, emphasizing that their claim should be based on Kunbi records and the ‘Sage Soyare’ terminology.
Expressing his discontent, Jarange-Patil threatened to brand legislators who veer off the Maratha reservation topic during the assembly session as ‘anti-Maratha.’ He also hinted at a potential suspension of talks with the government starting Wednesday, suggesting the formulation of an action plan for further agitation.
The decision to extend the reservation was based on a report submitted by the Maharashtra Backward Class Commission (MBCC), chaired by Justice (Retired) Sunil Shukre. The commission, which conducted a thorough survey of the social and economic conditions of the Marathas, recommended a 10% reservation for the community in education and government jobs, similar to the one granted in 2018 by the then-state government.
It’s worth noting that Maharashtra already has a 10% reservation quota for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), with Marathas being the primary beneficiaries, claiming 85% of the reservation under this category.
