The issue of Maratha reservation in Maharashtra is once again in the spotlight. The state government has extended the tenure of the Genealogy Committee, formed to issue caste certificates and caste validity certificates to the Maratha community.
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has taken a significant step regarding Maratha Reservation. The state government has extended the tenure of the Genealogy Committee, which issues caste certificates and caste validity certificates to the Maratha community, until June 30, 2026. This committee investigates the genealogical relationship between the Maratha and Kunbi communities to determine eligibility.
State Minister for Social Justice, Sanjay Shirsat, informed about this on August 30, stating that this decision has been taken in the interest of the community and to ensure justice. The responsibility for issuing the order has been taken up by the Department of Social Justice and Special Assistance.
Tenure of Genealogy Committee Extended
The Genealogy Committee plays a crucial role in addressing the Maratha community's demand for reservation. In 2023, the Maharashtra government constituted the 'Justice Sandeep Shinde Committee,' commonly referred to as the Genealogy Committee. The primary task of this committee is to examine the historical, social, and genealogical connections between the Maratha community and the Kunbi caste.
By scrutinizing documents and old records, this committee determines which individuals can be provided the benefits of reservation under the Kunbi (OBC) category. The government believes that extending the committee's tenure will help resolve reservation-related disputes and ensure justice for eligible individuals.
Maratha Community's Demand for Reservation
The issue of Maratha reservation in Maharashtra has long been a focal point of political and social discourse. The Maratha community argues that their ancestors were primarily associated with the farming community, historically known as Kunbis. The community asserts that recognition of this historical link should entitle the Maratha community to reservation benefits. The committee is working to validate this claim, making its extended tenure politically significant.
The Maratha community constitutes a substantial population in Maharashtra. Therefore, their demands related to reservation are not only a matter of social justice but are also considered politically sensitive. This government decision is a step towards satisfying the Maratha community, but it could also directly impact OBC politics in the state. The government must ensure that the Maratha community receives reservation benefits without adversely affecting the interests of the existing OBC groups.
