Maratha reservation issue settled… Bhujbal was also informed by CM: Eknath Shinde

“The long-pending issue of Maratha reservation has been settled. If someone makes new-new demands, the government will have to ensure every decision is taken within the legal framework,” Shinde said. He,however, cautioned that the Government Resolution (GR) does not allow blanket issuance of Kunbi status to Marathas across the state.

Reflecting on why Jarange Patil started the agitation again after he, when he was CM, had resolved the issue in January 2024, Shinde said, “Last time also, he had read the notification and the real issue was of Marathwada only. Now he is talking about Hyderabad Gazetteer and other gazetteers of Bombay, Aundh and Satara and asked for all Marathas from Marathwada to be included in OBC by giving them Kunbi certificates… this cannot happen. We told him that this cannot be done and it will be illegal and it won’t stand in court. We have done what we promised,” he clarified.

When asked about the doubts raised by Maratha leaders and experts questioning the benefits that will come from the GR, Shinde said, “See the GR was handed over to him (Jarange Patil) and he read it out in front of everyone and also consulted experts. They also went through it… he withdrew the agitation only after being satisfied with the GR. Last time too, he was satisfied,” he said.

In a candid admission Shinde said, “The government decision does not give blanket permission to issue Kunbi status to all Marathas. The implementation of Hyderabad Gazetteer has helped to simplify the process and access to valid documents to establish Kunbi status, which would help them avail OBC reservation.” He added, “The process will be implemented by a three-member committee at the village level and that will make things simpler for the eligible Marathas.”

On OBCs protesting the government decision on Marathas, he said, “The CM along with two deputy chief ministers had informed Bhujbal about the Hyderabad Gazetteer… and moreover, the government has not taken away OBCs’ rights by giving reservation to Marathas.”

On Bhujbal raising questions on the GR, Shinde said, “Yesterday the CM had called Ajit (Pawar) dada, myself and Bhujbal and informed them that the government was improvising the process of issuing these (Kunbi) certificates. And these rules were started in 2001 and started getting implemented in 2012 and what these rules say is — if any person’s relatives or family members have documents or certificates (to show Kunbi records), then based on that the committee’s verification certificates would be issued. This was in 2012, and it’s not only for Marathas but also for other communities… So we have used that only. We have done it under the framework of law only and have not violated any rules and regulations,” he said,

He further said that OBCs, at least in Nagpur, have also withdrawn their agitation.

The Shiv Sena president also dismissed the lack of coordination between the CM and two deputy CMs on the vexed issue of Maratha reservation as baseless. “When Jarange Patil declared his agitation, all three of us held a meeting. There were three to four meetings. All the decisions were taken collectively after talking to experts to ensure it withstands legal scrutiny.”

However, Shinde admitted that the Maratha protest at Azad Maidan had led to hardships to Mumbaikars and traffic problems.

“The government was of the view that Jarange Patil would hold a protest for sometime and then through discussions end the agitation. But the number of people who landed in Mumbai exceeded the expectations, compounding the crisis… But now the issue has been resolved.”