The Maratha reservation issue is far from over

mously since all political parties are in favour of reservation to Marathas. The ruling party knows its decision will have to stand the legal scrutiny. Can the government create a separate category beyond the existing ones? Will it be legally feasible to do so? Can the quota be added to the 52% reservation already given in the state? All these aspects will now be argued in the HC and probably even the Supreme Court. Knowing this, the government adopted a cautious approach. It appointed the MSCBC to submit a report on the issue. Following surveys among Maratha families and deliberations, the commission concluded that the community is socially and educationally backward. It would make a valid ground for reservation for the government.

The Fadnavis government has completed the first task but will now have to prepare for a legal battle. Politically, it wants to send a message to the community that it did its bit and now it is up to the court to decide. The move, however, will open a Pandora’s Box. Since it has created a separate category, some other communities such as Lingayats would also demand reservation on similar grounds.

It may create a further divide between Marathas and other backward classes (OBCS) — the two politically strong groups in the state. The OBCS are wary that the government may ultimately include Marathas in their category if the SEBC is not accepted by the courts. They are also asking why Kunbis (sub-caste of Maratha) should continue with the OBC and not be added to the new SEBC. This may kick up a new political controversy. A significant number of Maratha-kunbi politicians contest local elections through seats reserved for OBCS. A lot will depend on how the Fadnavis government will handle the situation. The row over reservation is far from over.