Decoding Maratha Reservation: Backward Classes Commission’s Latest Revelations

Amidst the bustling city of Mumbai, the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission gracefully handed over its comprehensive analysis on the intricate social and financial facets of the Maratha community to the esteemed Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde.

In an early morning press briefing on Friday, Shinde affirmatively acknowledged the state government’s favorable stance on addressing the reservation concerns of the Maratha populace. The Chief Minister solemnly assured that the Maratha community’s entitlement to reservation would be pursued without encroaching upon the reservation earmarked for the OBC community.

Post the receipt of the detailed survey report, Shinde articulated that the findings would be laid before the cabinet in an upcoming meeting, serving as the foundation for a judicious governmental resolution. Subsequently, a special assembly session has been slated for February 20 to deliberate on the outcomes.

Shinde expounded further, expressing confidence in the reservation’s alignment with constitutional and legal scrutiny, factoring in educational, social, and economic parameters.

Adding another layer to his statement, the CM emphasized the government’s capability to implement OBC reservations or any other reservation framework without detriment to the welfare of the Maratha community. Consequently, Shinde urged Manoj Jarange Patil, currently observing his seventh day of a hunger strike at Antarwali Saarati village in Jalna district, to reconsider and conclude his fast. Patil’s protest seeks a special legislative session for a comprehensive discourse on Maratha reservation-related concerns.

Nevertheless, Patil initiated his hunger strike on February 10, urging the integration of Marathas into the Other Backward Classes (OBC) for securing a reservation. His demands also encompass the conversion of the draft notification concerning ‘blood relatives’ of Kunbi Marathas into legally binding provisions.