The leader from Vidarbha said the OBCs will have to strategise the fight against the GR. (Express Photo)
The ongoing tussle between the Marathas and Other Backwards Classes (OBCs) over the September 2 government resolution (GR) on Maratha reservation is set to escalate. OBC organisations will hold a meeting Monday while the Maratha organisations have prepared for the ensuing legal battle by filing a caveat against the petition by OBC organisations.
The September 2 GR of the Maharashtra government over the implementation of the Hyderabad Gazette may pave the way for the Maratha community to acquire Kunbi (OBC) status, a long-standing demand of Maratha organisations led by community leader Manoj Jarange Patil.
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Rashtriya Chhava Sanghatan (RCS), representing the Maratha community, filed a caveat in the Supreme Court, Bombay High Court and the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar bench of the Bombay High Court with a plea that they should be heard before giving any judgment on a petition by the OBC organisations or leaders against the Maharashtra government resolution.
“I have filed a caveat regarding the Hyderabad Gazette on behalf of the Maratha community and have requested that the government resolution in this regard should not be stayed or cancelled without hearing the side of the Maratha community,” said Gangadhar Kalkute-Patil, president of the RCS.
Meanwhile, Congress Legislative party leader Vijay Wadettiwar Saturday announced to hold a meeting of all organisations representing OBCs on September 8 in Mumbai. “The present state government is anti-OBC. The GR issued by the government is going to compromise the interests of OBCs. We cannot allow that to happen,” said Wadettiwar.
The leader from Vidarbha said the OBCs will have to strategise the fight against the GR. “If the government is going to harm the interests of OBCs, we will have to fight against it. We will have to protect our rights,” said Wadettiwar.
Chhagan Bhujbal, Maharashtra minister and senior OBC leader from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has already expressed concerns over the Maharashtra government’s GR and announced that he will fight a legal battle if OBC interests are being compromised.
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Maratha leader Kalkute-Patil said their main prayer in the caveat is that the court should not grant a unilateral stay on a petition challenging the government resolution by OBC organisations.
“The Maratha community’s side will have to be heard. Since the caveat has been filed, the court will first hear the side of the Maratha community and then deliver its judgment. This means that the reservation cannot be stopped without listening to the stance of the Maratha community,” he said, adding that the Maratha community will have the opportunity to take up its issues and further make its legal battle stronger.
“The move to file a caveat is to ensure psychological and legal protection. It creates confidence in the Maratha community that there will be no sudden decision against reservation. This maintains stability in the ongoing movement demanding reservation to the Maratha community,” he said.
Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues.
Expertise
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai.
Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands').
Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including:
State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana).
Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides).
Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits.
Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness
Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects.
Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards.
Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra.
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