Maratha quota within OBC category across Maharashtra unlikely as protests gain momentum

Initially, the OBC leaders were willing to consider the issuance of Kunbi certificates to Marathas in Marathwada region. But when Jarange-Patil expanded the scope of Kunbi certificates to the entire Marathas, the OBC leaders vehemently opposed it.

OBC Jan Manch leader Prakash Shendge said, “There are 300 plus caste/ communities accommodated in the OBC category. If you include Marathas, it will be an injustice to OBC communities, whose share will shrink massively. So, we outright reject the proposal of including Marathas within OBC.”

Rashtriya OBC Mahasangh president Babanrao Taywade said, “While issuing Kunbi certificates to Marathas across the state, what has been overlooked is the larger problems of caste validity. To establish validity, we will require documentary proof of revenue record or education of kith and kin of the last two generations.”

NCP minister Chhagan Bhujbal has warned the state government against giving Marathas reservations in the OBC category. “We will not allow Marathas to enter the OBC category. The issuance of Kunbi certificates is a ploy to give them backdoor entry, ” Bhujbal said.

A BJP representative said, “At present everything is chaotic. By readily conceding to Jarange-Patil’s demand for Kumbi certificates, the chief minister has kept his hopes alive of reservation within OBC. The OBC leaders within the ruling coalition and opposition are unanimously opposed to Maratha’s inclusion in the OBC quota.”

Therefore, in such a scenario where the Marathas and OBCs are at loggerheads, the government cannot be seen favouring one and antagonising the other. If Marathas constitute 33 per cent of the population, OBCs make up 52 per cent.

In the prevalent situation where OBCs have dared Marathas by taking the battle to their district in Jalna, he said that the government will not allow Marathas reservation within OBCs.

The OBC rally at Ambad in Jalna last week was a strategy to take the battle to the home ground of Jarange-Patil. It conveyed that OBC will not take Maratha’s assertion lying down. It will display its might and, where necessary, counter effectively.

Insiders in the cabinet sub-committee for reservation also hinted, “Things are precarious. The only way forward is to ensure a separate quota. This will amount to fulfilling the reservation promise. At the same time, OBC reservation will remain undisturbed.”