Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde assures OBC community that Marathas will be granted reservation without affecting existing OBC quotas. As the state's legislature session approaches, the ruling alliance aims to fulfill promises in its last budget before the assembly elections. Amidst ongoing demands, Shinde reiterates government's focus on agriculture and counters Opposition's claims of negligence. Ahead of the session, Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar express confidence in their team's ability to address concerns and expose false narratives from opposing parties.
Maharashtra CM Assures OBC Community on Maratha Reservation
Background:
In Maharashtra, the demand for reservation for Marathas, a dominant caste group, has been a contentious issue for several years. The previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government had passed the Maharashtra State Reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act, 2018, granting 16% reservation to Marathas in government jobs and educational institutions. However, the Supreme Court struck down the law in 2021, ruling that it violated the 50% cap on reservations.
Recent Developments:
Following the Supreme Court's decision, the Maratha community intensified its protests, demanding that the government find an alternative way to grant them reservation. In response, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has assured the OBC (Other Backward Classes) community that the Maratha reservation will not affect the existing OBC quotas.
Government's Stance:
Chief Minister Shinde has stated that the government is committed to fulfilling its promises and granting reservation to Marathas. However, he has also emphasized that the government will not do so at the expense of the OBC community.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed confidence that the government will be able to address the concerns of all communities and expose false narratives spread by opposition parties.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
1. Will the Maratha reservation affect the existing OBC quotas?
No, the government has assured that the Maratha reservation will not reduce the existing quotas for OBC communities.
2. How will the government grant reservation to Marathas?
The exact method of implementing Maratha reservation is still under discussion. However, the government has ruled out exceeding the 50% cap on reservations.
3. What are the demands of the Maratha community?
The Maratha community is demanding reservation in government jobs and educational institutions in proportion to its population, which is estimated to be around 30%.
4. What are the arguments against Maratha reservation?
Opponents of Maratha reservation argue that it is not justified since the Marathas are not a socially and economically disadvantaged group. They also fear that granting reservation to Marathas will lead to a reduction in opportunities for other communities.
5. What is the history of Maratha reservation in Maharashtra?
The Maratha community has been demanding reservation for decades. In 2014, the Congress-NCP government passed a law granting 16% reservation to Marathas, but it was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2016. The BJP-led government passed a new law in 2018, but it was also struck down in 2021.
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