Committed to cause of reservation for Marathas: Shinde asks Marathas to give govt time

“I have promised to secure reservation for Marathas. So my Maratha brothers, please do not take any extreme steps like suicide. The state government is trying its best to provide reservation that fits within the framework of the law, and which will also stand in the court and is long lasting,” said Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Thane on Sunday.

The appeal comes in the wake of a third alleged suicide by a Maratha in Marathwada on Saturday.

Earlier a Maratha activist from Jalna had allegedly died by suicide in Mumbai last week.

While interacting with the press in Thane, the CM elaborated on the effort being made by the state government on the issue.

Shinde said that incidents of suicide among Maratha youths are unfortunate and painful. “Brothers, your life is worth a million. I assure you that the state government is in the process of trying to grant reservation to Marathas,” he said.

“The state government has filed a curative petition in the Supreme Court, which was accepted on October 13, 2023. This is a positive sign. The factual side regarding reservation will be effectively presented in the top court,” he said.
Shinde said that in Marathwada, the committee proceedings to issue Kunbi certificates to Marathas based on old records under the chairmanship of retired judge Sandeep Shinde are underway.

The CM also reiterated that he belonged to a common farmer family and was committed to the reservation cause.