Mahaashtra’s Three-Party Government Faces Criticism over Maratha Reservation Demand
The three-party government in Maharashtra, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, is facing criticism for what is perceived as indifference towards the demand for Maratha reservation. Jayant Patil, the president of the Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) Maharashtra unit, accused the government of not taking the issue seriously.
Patil emphasized that the demand for reservation for the Maratha community in jobs and education should be treated as a significant matter and brought to a logical conclusion. He further alleged that the leaders of the ruling coalition, including Chief Minister Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, have differing opinions on the matter, showcasing disunity within the government.
The NCP firmly stands in favor of granting reservation to the Marathas without disturbing the existing quota for other disadvantaged sections of society, according to Patil, who is also a former finance minister. However, concerns have been raised by OBC (Other Backward Classes) leader Prakash Shendge regarding any potential inclusion of Marathas in the OBC category through the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates. Shendge believes that such a move would be unfair to other communities and could spark protests from OBC groups.
The demand for Maratha reservation has led to recent incidents of violence across the state of Maharashtra. Manoj Jarange, a quota activist, called off his indefinite hunger strike after nine days, urging the government to address the issue within two months.
Marathas, comprising more than 30 percent of Maharashtra’s population, have been consistently advocating for reservation in government jobs and education. As the government faces criticism for its handling of the matter, it remains to be seen how this sensitive and significant demand for Maratha reservation will be addressed in the coming weeks and months.
