Not all Marathas will get OBC certificate, says state govt

The state government on Friday had called a special meeting of OBC legislators and representatives of OBC organisations where Shinde along with two Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were present.

The government has clarified in the meeting that it has not given any blanket promise to Manoj Jarange-Patil, saying all Marathas will be given Kunbi certificate. A committee has been appointed by the state government to study the historical documents and only based on that a decision will be taken about giving Kunbi certificate,” said former BJP MLA Ashish Deshmukh from Nagpur who attended the meeting. Deshmukh said the Indian constitution has a provision to change religion, but not the caste. “We are not against Maratha reservation at all. But it is impossible for all Marathas to be recognised as OBCs,” said Deshmukh.

The Chief Minister’s office issued a statement which stated that Shinde stressed that it will ensure reservation to Marathas without touching that of the OBCs. According to sources within the meeting, the issue of OBC census, one of the key demands of opposition and OBC organisations, was also discussed in the meeting where an example of Bihar state was sought which has undertaken the exercise. “We were told that the Maharashtra government is observing the developments related to the survey conducted by Bihar state. Once the details of it are out, the state will take appropriate action,” said another MLA who attended the meeting.

Maratha protester Manoj Jarange-Patil had called for fast in Marathwada’s Jalna district demanding Kunbi status to Marathas in Marathwada region. He has claimed that Marathas in Marathwada have also been the part of the OBC list. “There is no reason for OBCs to get agitated as Marathas in this region have always been in the OBC list. There is no question of raising the 50% limit as we are at 83 number in the OBC list,” he had told the delegation of ministers.

Last month, the police lathicharge on Jarange-Patil’s protest resulted in outrage across the state with opposition leaders rushing to the protest site in Ambad tehsil of Jalna district, accusing the government of unnecessarily using force. The protests that spread across the state led to the government holding a meeting of cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservation.

In that meeting, the already formed committee to study about giving OBC tag to Marathas in Marathwada was asked to submit its report in next one month. Following this, OBC organisations across the state have started agitation opposing the demand.

Faced with OBC protests, who are seen as supporters of the ruling BJP, the state government called a meeting of representatives of OBC organisations. The opposition had raised objections over the selective invitations of the meeting where only BJP leaders were called.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said at the meeting that schemes worth Rs 4,000 crore will be implemented for the OBCs while another Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said all backward classes will be provided with necessary funds.