Chhagan Bhujbal opposed the inclusion of Marathas in the OBC quota regarding the demand for Maratha reservation. Manoj Jarange is on a hunger strike, while the court has ordered the roads to be cleared and stipulated peaceful protest conditions.
Mumbai: The issue of Maratha reservation has once again heated up in Maharashtra. Senior OBC leader and minister Chhagan Bhujbal has clearly stated that if the rights of OBCs are usurped, millions will take to the streets. Opposing the inclusion of the Maratha community in the OBC quota, he said that this is neither legally correct nor socially justifiable.
Hunger Strike Escalates Tension
Manoj Jarange reached Mumbai on August 29 from Antarwali-Sarati village in Jalna district, leading a protest march with thousands of supporters. Upon arriving here, he began a hunger strike demanding reservation for the Maratha community within the OBC quota. Protesters occupied the CSMT railway station and surrounding roads in South Mumbai, severely impacting offices and traffic. Mumbai's busy areas struggled with traffic jams and disruptions for several days.
Bhujbal's Warning
After a meeting of OBC leaders, Bhujbal stated that out of the 27 percent OBC reservation, 6 percent has been allocated to nomadic tribes, 2 percent to the Gowari community, and further divided into smaller portions. This leaves only 17 percent of the quota for 374 communities. Therefore, including Marathas in this quota would be unjust to the OBC society. Bhujbal added that the court has already deemed this demand invalid, and the OBC community is already struggling for limited opportunities in government jobs and education. He warned that if the government tampers with the OBC quota, millions will take to the streets, leading to a massive agitation.
Emphasis on Separate Reservation
Bhujbal also made it clear that he has no objection to Marathas being granted reservation, but it should not come from the OBC quota. He stated that Jarange's demand, which seeks to accord Kunbi status to Marathas based on historical documents, would encroach upon the rights of the OBC community. Bhujbal reiterated that Marathas should be given separate reservation so that no one's rights are violated and the social balance is not disturbed.
Court Issues Order
The Mumbai High Court has adopted a strict stance regarding the protest. The court stated that everyone has the right to protest, but it should not disrupt the lives of the common public. The court ordered the government to clear all roads by September 2, 12 PM, and stipulated that no more than five thousand people should participate in the protest. The court also emphasized that the demonstration should be confined to Azad Maidan and that Mumbai should not be defamed during the Ganesh festival.
Jarange's Appeal and Government's Reaction
Following the court's order, Manoj Jarange appealed to his supporters to vacate the roads and abide by the law. He stated that the protest would remain peaceful and the demand for reservation would be pursued through legal means. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also welcomed the court's directives and said that the government would comply with the orders and make serious efforts to resolve the demands of the Maratha community.
Reservation Controversy in the Past as Well
The demand for Maratha reservation in Maharashtra has been ongoing for several years. In 2018, the state government announced 16 percent reservation for Marathas, but the Supreme Court struck it down in 2021. The court had stated that the total reservation cannot exceed 50 percent. Since then, the Maratha community has been demanding reservation through various means.
