The Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission’s report on Maratha quota is likely to restrict its findings to the socio-economic status of the community, leaving the state government to tackle the larger disputes between OBCs and Marathas. The regional divide between Marathas and Kunbhi Marathas on reservation is likely to deepen, sources said. The commission headed by retired Justice M G Gaikwad is likely to submit its report on November 15. Marathas constitute 33 per cent of the state’s population. “The report based on data analysis of 45,000 families and over two lakh submissions is likely to give insight into the precise socio-economic status of the community. Which implies, there would be justification to extend reservation to the Marathas,” a source said. “However, the commission is unlikely to determine the quota percentage nor prescribe how the government should accommodate the Marathas beyond the 52 per cent limit,” the source added. At present, the reservation given to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, VJNTs and special backward category together account for 52 per cent. A senior Cabinet minister requesting anonymity said, “We have promised 16 per cent reservation to the Marathas. Now, our real challenge is to ensure the quota given above 52 per cent is not struck down by the court.” However, the bigger dilemma for the government is to tackle the OBCs threatening to launch an agitation in the state over Maratha quota. OBC Kranti Parishad president Anil Mahajan said, “If the commission gives nod for Maratha quota, we have no problem. But the Kunbhi Marathas in Vidarbha, Konkan and North Maharashtra, who are availing the quota, should be deleted from OBC category.” “Instead, the government should consider the Maratha community across the state including Kunbhi Marathas under the new quota,” he asserted. Of the 52 per cent reservation, OBCs get 27 per cent. The Maratha community in Vidarbha, North Maharashtra and Konkan region have taken the title of Kunbhi Marathas for the last six decades. They called themselves backward and have been clubbed under OBC category and enjoyed quota. However, the Maratha community in Marathwada and western Maharashtra never availed the quota as they considered themselves socially and economically forward. But the demand for reservation in these regions have gained momentum in the last two years. The Maratha Kranti Morcha, which led the agitation in the state, has made it clear they want separate quota of 16 per cent. The Kunbhi Marathas cannot be clubbed with our quota, it said.
