Quixplained: Who are the Marathas, and why is there a quota debate?

As the Maratha Kranti Morcha (MKM) held protests over reservation for the Maratha community in front of the offices of four major political parties on Sunday, Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, the 13th direct descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and great-grandson of Chhatrapati Shahu of Kolhapur, has appealed to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to come on one platform and work unitedly to ensure reservation for the Maratha community.

Opposing the government’s move to provide reservation to the Maratha community under EWS category, Sambhajiraje said, “EWS is already caught in a legal tangle in the apex court. Besides, if reservation is given under EWS, the SC may ask as to why does the Maratha community need reservation separately? Also, when a separate law has been enacted, then why EWS. What is important is getting the stay vacated through proper strategy and united efforts.”

A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court on September 8 referred to a Constitution Bench the question whether states have the power to exceed the 50 per cent reservation limit. It was hearing petitions against the June 27, 2019 order of the Bombay High Court which upheld the constitutional validity of the Maharashtra State Reservation (of seats for admission in educational institutions in the State and for appointments in the public services and posts under the State) for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act, 2018.

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So, what is this Maratha Quota debate?

What is the Maratha quota debate? Existing total reservations in Maharashtra Who are the Marathas? What happens now?

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