Leaders representing Other Backward Classes (OBCs) have issued a stern warning to the Maharashtra government, cautioning of impending statewide demonstrations if the government proceeds with its plan to provide Marathas with reservations under the OBC category. They have pledged to employ all available means, including legal action, to oppose the government’s proposed move to grant Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas.
Various OBC groups are uniting to organize a series of three rallies over the next 20 days, exerting pressure on the government to reconsider its decision. These gatherings are expected to draw participation from OBC leaders representing various political parties from across the nation. The initial rally is slated for November 17 in Ambad, Jalna, the very location where Maratha quota protester Manoj Jarange-Patil previously held a hunger strike. The second meeting is scheduled for November 26 in Hingoli, followed by a third rally in Yavatmal.
A group of prominent OBC leaders met with Maharashtra Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who belongs to the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), on November 7 in Mumbai to discuss this matter. The day before, Bhujbal had voiced a dissenting opinion in contrast to the government’s stance, asserting that he “will not tolerate injustice against OBCs and will not remain silent.”
The Eknath Shinde government has committed to granting reservations to Marathas by issuing them OBC certificates and including them in the OBC Kunbi category by January 2, 2024. This move has elicited discontent among OBC groups, who fear that the Marathas’ inclusion will diminish their 19% reservation allocation.
“We do not oppose the expansion of the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) quota and granting reservations to Marathas within that framework. However, we vehemently object to granting Kunbi certificates (under the OBC category) to all Marathas. We will not accept this, and we will soon take to the streets. If necessary, we will also resort to legal action,” affirmed OBC leader Prakash Shendge.
Shendge is also of the opinion that the Justice Shinde Commission, established by the Maharashtra government to grant Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas, lacks a constitutional basis. “The committee lacks the constitutional authority to confer Kunbi certificates upon anyone. It is not a commission for backward classes to bestow such status upon individuals. Marathas have never been classified as backward, a fact substantiated on numerous occasions.”
He disclosed that they are awaiting the conclusion of Diwali festivities to initiate their statewide protest. “We are awaiting the conclusion of Diwali celebrations, following which we will launch OBC Elgar rallies across the state. These will be followed by a statewide protest against the blanket reservation granted to Marathas from the OBC quota.”