Manoj Jarange Patil, the activist leading the movement for caste-based reservations for Marathas, expressed his welcome for the reservation bill introduced and passed in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Despite welcoming the bill, he argued that the proposed reservation did not align with the community’s demands. Patil called for a meeting of the Maratha community, emphasizing the need for reservation under the OBC category for those with proof of being Kunbi and the enactment of “Sage Soyare” for those without proof. He underscored that the government’s decision to provide benefits based on Nizam era documents of Kunbi certificates would only benefit a small portion of the Maratha community.
In his appeal, Patil urged maximum people to attend the meeting and reiterated his demand for the implementation of “Sage Soyare.” He acknowledged the government’s reservation but emphasized that it did not align with their demands, potentially leaving many Maratha people deprived of the benefits. Patil also announced his intention to remove the intravenous drip and reject further treatment from doctors.
The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly unanimously passed the Maratha Reservation Bill, aiming to extend 10% reservation to Marathas above the 50% cap. Patil’s demand for broader inclusion of the Maratha community as Kunbi under the OBC quota contrasts with the government’s decision to grant benefits based on specific documents. The bill will proceed to the Legislative Council for final approval before becoming law.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed gratitude for the successful passage of the bill, highlighting the government’s commitment to providing reservation to the Maratha community. He emphasized that the decision was not based on caste or religion but aimed at fulfilling promises and promoting overall development.
This legislative move follows the Supreme Court’s 2021 decision to strike down reservations for the Maratha community in colleges, higher educational institutions, and jobs, citing a lack of valid grounds to breach the 50% reservation limit.
