Adopt Karpoori Thakur reservation model in Maharashtra: OBC leader Haribhau Rathod

The OBC leader Haribhau Rathod said the state government should apply for Karpoori Thakur formula. The Centre recently awarded Thakur with the Bharat Ratna. He did pioneering work to provide reservation to OBCs by implementing a sub-categorisation formula.

“In 1978, Karpoori Thakur introduced a 26 per cent reservation model in Bihar for backward classes in government jobs and education. The break up was — OBC 12 per cent; Most Backward Class 8 per cent; women 3 per cent and Economically Backward Class (for upper caste) 3 per cent,” Rathod said.

“In Maharashtra, former CM Vasantrao Naik had also introduced reservation for denotified and nomadic tribes. Reservation within OBC category based on sub categorization is the only solution to resolve Maratha versus OBC conflict in Maharashtra,” Rathod added.

Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Wednesday threatened to go on an indefinite protest-cum-fast from February 10. He has urged Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to convene a special session and make legislation for the reservation of Marathas. Patil suggested that it should be empowered through legislative to ensure its flawless implementation. Jarange Patil expressed concern as leaders within the government have different views on the draft notification.

State BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday said, “The draft notification is not final. There is ample scope for suggestions and objections.”

Earlier, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis stated there will be no blanket issuance of kunbi certificates to all Marathas. He said only those Maratha individuals whose kunbi credentials were on record will be considered, subject to scrutiny. Fadnavis also indicated that if the situation demanded he will take up the matter with higher authorities within the BJP and ensure no injustice to OBCs.

Jarange Patil, while admonishing Fadnavis, said, “The CM has promised kunbi certificates to all eligible Marathas. Now, Fadnavis is saying something different.”

A senior BJP minister, who is part of the cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservation, said, “First of all, we will have to address the issue of division within Marathas. There are kunbi-Marathas, Maratha-kunbis, Maratha-Levas, Patidars, etc.” Without tackling these division it will be difficult to resolve the reservation.

The Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi president Prakash Ambedkar said, “The divide between Marathas, kunbi- Marathas, Levas, Patidars, et al is a reality. The draft notification talks of kunbi certificates to Marathas. Does it include all Marathas irrespective of different nomenclature? Or is it only for Maratha kunbis? Without explaining the details, how will the government implement the notification?”

The CM had earlier promised to hold a special session in February. Insiders indicated that a draft notification was the first step to diffuse tension. The Maratha reservation will be discussed in detail in the state legislative session. Empirical data provided by the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission will enable the government to establish the Maratha community’s backwardness. Based on the data, they can quantify the reservation quota. This would mean adopting legislation to increase the overall reservation ceiling from the existing 52 per cent upward to accommodate kunbis/Marathas.

“The government will have to adopt Karpoori Thakur model. It can be done easily. Just raise the OBC quota from 27 to 38 per cent. Broadly, OBC should be divided into three groups. The first group will include denotified tribes (4 per cent); nomadic tribes (3 per cent); dhangar 4 (per cent) and vanjari (3 per cent). In group two, ther eshould be Special Backward Class (2 per cent); bara balutedar (3 per cent); teli, Mali, agri, bhandari (4 per cent); Kachi, kushwaha, shaky, saini others (5 per cent). In group three category there should be kunbi, kunbi-Maratha, Maratha-kunbhi, Maratha-leva, Patidar and Rajput (10 per cent). The total reservation under OBC, including all three groups, will not exceed 38 per cent,” Rathod said.

“The reservation model will accommodate all Marathas. Moreover, OBCs existing quota of 27 per cent will not get diluted,” he added.

The state government reckons it will have to tread cautiously. Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls it cannot be seen antagonising any body. The ruling BJP is already worried, as OBCs are now protesting against kunbi certificates to Marathas.

Senior NCP minister Chhagan Bhujbal said, “Marathas cannot be acceptable in OBC quota. They will reap maximum benefits. The real deprived segment within OBCs will be left out. Let government give them separate quota.”