All-Party Meeting Today to Address Maratha Quota Protest: What's the Demonstrations About?"

The ongoing controversy surrounding the Maratha reservation issue has once again taken the spotlight ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Manoj Jarange-Patil, a prominent figure leading the demand for state-level reservation for Marathas, recently announced a hunger strike and then refused water and intravenous support. In contrast, other backward class (OBC) groups and Kunbis, a subgroup within the Maratha community, have opposed this move. Caught between supporters and opponents of the reservation, the BJP-Shiv Sena-led state government has convened an all-party meeting—a first in which the ruling administration seeks the views of opposition parties since the protests began approximately two weeks ago.

Kunbis currently receive reservations in the OBC category, while Marathas fall under the general category.

Key Points About the Maratha Reservation Dispute:

• The Maratha community, constituting about one-third of the state's population, holds significant political influence in Maharashtra. They have been demanding reservations in government jobs and educational institutions.
• The reservation demand has been a significant aspect of state politics since 1981 and has seen multiple mass protests. The first such protest occurred around 32 years ago, led by Mathadi Labour Union leader Annasaheb Patil in Mumbai.
• The current crisis began on September 1 when police in Jalna lathi-charged protesters demanding OBC status for Marathas, the site where Jarange-Patil initiated his hunger strike.
• Despite decades of demands, a lasting solution has not been reached. However, in 2014, the Prithviraj Chauhan-led state government introduced an ordinance to grant 16% reservation to Marathas based on the Narayan Rane Commission recommendations.
• In 2018, the state government granted 16% reservation amid widespread protests. This was later reduced to 13% in jobs and 12% in education by the Bombay High Court. In 2021, the Supreme Court overturned this decision.
• The current protest intensifies with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's announcement that Marathas from central Maharashtra can access OBC reservations if they can provide certificates from the Nizam era classifying them as Kunbis.
• Disappointment among Marathas arises from the government's demand for certificates proving Kunbi heritage, as many Marathas seek reservations without any restrictions and not limited to the eight central Maharashtra districts.
• Those opposing the quota demand include OBC and Kunbi groups who fear their existing quotas will be compromised by the addition of Marathas. OBC groups refuse to "give up our share of reservation for anyone else" and suggest that if the government wants to provide reservations to the Maratha community, it should come from the open category.
• Kunbi groups demand that certificates should not be issued to all Marathas, and they seek written assurance from the government that their quota will not be shared with any other community.

Also Read: Panchamsalis Renew 2A Quota Protest in Belagavi, Karnataka

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