Kunbhi certificates to blood kin within constitutional framework, no injustice to OBC: Fadnavis

The deputy CM also thanked quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil for calling off his protest

Speaking to media persons in Nagpur, the deputy CM said, “We had from the beginning stated Maratha reservation will have to be given within the framework of legal and constitutional norms.” (File)

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said the state government’s draft ordinance expanding the scope of issuing kunbhi certificates to blood relations was a positive decision taken under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He also thanked activist Manoj Jarange Patil for accepting the decision and calling off the protest in Mumbai.

Speaking to the media on Friday, the deputy CM said, “Since the beginning, we had stated Maratha reservation will have to be given within the framework of legal and constitutional norms. The reservation to Marathas will have to withstand legal and constitutional validity.”

He said while the state government was committed to Maratha reservation, “the state government’s decision on the draft ordinance ensures individuals whose kunbhi identity is already officially determined will be entitled to get certificates to his/her blood relations”.

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Fadnavis said the CM’s decision ensured provision by simplifying the process to issue kunbhi certificates to blood relations of eligible candidates.

Commenting on OBC leader and state minister Chhagan Bhujbal’s claim that a draft notification was not final and him calling for suggestions and objections till February 16, Fadnavis said, “It was part of the administration process which was inevitable.”

“I would like to reassure Bhujbal and OBC leaders not to worry. The government has not allowed issuing kunbhi certificates to non-kunbhi Marathas. It will be given only to those whose kunbhi identity has been verified and established,” Fadnavis said.

“The state government was hopeful of some decision and direction following the ongoing hearing in the Supreme Court on its curative petition on Martha reservation,” he said.

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“We hope of some outcome on the curative petition. If, for some reason, nothing happens, the state government will pursue its case through course correction. The process is underway,” he said.

“The MSBCC has been conducting surveys. It has been gathering empirical data and will establish the backward status of the Maratha community,” he said.

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