Maharashtra observes statewide bandh demanding Maratha quota

Photo Credits: Hindustan Times

The state of Maharashtra is observing a bandh on Saturday to protest and demand the Maratha quota row. The band has been asserted by several Maratha outfits, urging the revival of reservation that will represent the Maratha community for the jobs sector and in schools and colleges.

This comes after the Supreme Court (SC) on September 9, stayed put about enforcing the legislation pertaining to reservation of Marathas and passed it to a larger constitutional bench. The top court stated that the state government has refrained from showing any “extraordinary situation” which would be warranting the reservation.

Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray addressed the protesters earlier stating that the Maharashtra government will urge the Supreme Court for the second time on the matters pertaining to reservation.

Further, the decision to segregate the Marathas under the 10 per cent quota in the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) was not acknowledged by the community leaders who protested outside the Members of Parliament and legislators residences.

Regarding the reservation issue, Maratha Mahasangh leader Rajendra Kothare commented, “We have decided to turn down the government’s decision to bring us under the EWS quota as it does not serve any purpose. Our immediate demand is that the state government should immediately safeguard the interest of our youths who have secured admissions or government jobs under SEBC reservation stayed by the top court. Secondly, the schemes which are being shown as earmarked for the community are old ones and meant for other communities too. The state government can add 12% more seats in admissions to secure the quota for students from the community.”

Ashok Chavan, leading the state cabinet sub-committee with respect to the Maratha reservation issue, stated that it was fighting a legal battle and Maratha outfits should appreciate the efforts.