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In a significant move, the Maharashtra government has approved a report to extend reservation to Marathas beyond the 50 per cent cap in a special session held by the Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday.
The report, endorsed by the Mahayuti government led by Eknath Shinde, mirrors the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Act, 2018, previously introduced by the Devendra Fadnavis government. This marks the third instance in a decade that legislation for Maratha quota has been introduced in the state.
The decision to convene a special session was spurred by Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil, currently on a hunger strike at Antarwali Saarati village in Jalna district.
The reservation extension follows a report submitted by the Maharashtra Backward Class Commission (MBCC) chaired by Justice (Retired) Sunil Shukre. The MBCC’s report highlighted the need for Maratha quota based on social and educational backwardness.
Currently, the state allocates 10 per cent reservation for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), with Marathas being the primary beneficiaries, accounting for 85 per cent of the quota.
The Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission conducted a swift survey of approximately 2.5 crore households in just nine days to assess the social and educational backwardness of the Maratha community.
Based on its findings, the commission recommended a 10 per cent reservation for Marathas in education and employment, akin to the provision made in 2018 by the previous government.
The groundwork for Maratha reservation dates back to June 2017 when the Devendra Fadnavis government established the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission, tasked with analyzing the social, financial, and educational status of the Maratha community. The commission’s report, submitted in November 2018, classified Marathas as a socially and educationally backward class (SEBC).
Emphasizing the adherence to legal provisions, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing Maratha reservation, following the presentation of the report during the special assembly session convened on Tuesday.
“How Marathas can be given selective treatment, ignoring other castes in society? Why such survey was not conducted for each & every caste in society before coming to the conclusion?” Said, Vinod Tiwari, President of Council for Protection of Rights.
