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In response to the ongoing Maratha reservation protests, the Maharashtra government has made crucial decisions while considering the concerns of Other Backward Classes (OBC). The government, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has chosen not to include all Marathas in the reservation, citing potential disruptions to OBC rights. Instead, the government has taken a strategic approach to address the issue:
Kunbi Certificates: The government has decided to issue Kunbi certificates to a specific section of Marathas who meet the criteria outlined in the first Shinde Committee report. This move aims to grant OBC benefits to half a million Marathas in eight central Maharashtra districts. Kunbis, a Maratha sub-caste, are included in the OBC category.
Data Collection and Legal Restoration: The government plans to collect empirical data to support the Maratha reservation in the Supreme Court, where it was previously quashed in 2021. The state backward class commission, along with Tata Institute of Social Studies, Mumbai, and Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune, will conduct studies to establish the social and economic conditions of the community.
Legal Battle: The government will fight the legal battle in the Supreme Court through a curative petition, which has already been admitted. An advisory committee comprising three retired judges has been appointed to guide the government on the way forward.
However, activist Manoj Jarange-Patil, who has been on a hunger strike, remains unsatisfied with these measures and demands Kunbi caste certificates for the entire Maratha community. He has threatened to intensify the agitation if the government fails to convene a special session of the state legislature for this purpose.
Despite the protests, the government is resolute in balancing the interests of Marathas and OBCs. While Marathas traditionally support various parties, OBCs largely support the BJP. The government aims to convince the Maratha community that it is taking necessary steps while ensuring the interests of the OBC community are protected. The situation remains tense, with highway blockades and relay hunger strikes reported in some parts of the state.
