In a late-night interaction with media representatives at the Varsha Government Residence in Mumbai, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde addressed concerns surrounding the Maratha community’s reservation status. In his statement, he emphasized the state government’s unwavering commitment to providing reservation for the Maratha community while assuring the preservation of OBC (Other Backward Classes) reservations.
Shinde expressed disappointment regarding attempts by certain groups to create divisions between the Maratha community and their OBC counterparts. He stressed the need for unity and harmony among all communities in the state.
Highlighting the historical context, Shinde mentioned that the previous Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, had successfully granted 12 and 13 percent reservation to the Maratha community under the Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC) status. Importantly, this move did not infringe upon the existing OBC quotas and was upheld by the High Court. However, this reservation was subsequently overturned by the Supreme Court, leading to disappointment within the Maratha community, which felt that the previous government’s defense of their reservation was insufficient.
Shinde reiterated the determination of the Maratha community to secure their reservation and mentioned that every possible effort would be made to reinstate it. Currently, a curative petition is pending in the Supreme Court, and the government intends to vigorously pursue this legal avenue. To strengthen their case, an independent commission has been established to demonstrate the social and economic backwardness of the Maratha community. This commission is supported by a task force comprising esteemed experts, including senior lawyer Harish Salve. These combined efforts aim to underline the necessity of the Maratha community’s reservation.
Furthermore, Chief Minister Shinde made it clear that the Maratha community’s reservation would not come at the expense of reservations for other communities, particularly the OBCs. The government remains committed to ensuring that both the Maratha community and OBCs receive the reservations they require to address historical disadvantages and promote social equity.
In his closing remarks, Shinde appealed to all stakeholders to avoid spreading misinformation and instead work towards fostering unity and cooperation between the Maratha community and OBCs. The state government’s aim is to achieve a balanced and fair reservation system that benefits all sections of society while addressing the unique challenges faced by different communities.
