Maratha Quota Row: ‘Will Give Reservation In Two Phases,’ Says CM Eknath Shinde

Maratha Quota Row: ‘Will Give Reservation In Two Phases,’ Says CM Eknath Shinde

The recent announcement by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde regarding the state Cabinet’s decision to formally accept the report submitted by the Justice Sandeep Shinde committee signifies a significant step in the ongoing process of providing reservation to the Maratha community in the state. According to the Chief Minister, the first report submitted by the committee has identified over one lakh individuals from the Maratha community with valid proof, making them eligible for consideration for reservation benefits.

CM Eknath Shinde further outlined the government’s approach to implementing the reservation, indicating that it will be rolled out in two phases. The first phase will involve providing reservation to the Maratha community through the Kunbi caste certificate, while the second phase will entail offering reservation to the Maratha community in general based on their economic backwardness. Notably, the Chief Minister emphasized that the reservation policy will be formulated in a manner that will withstand legal scrutiny, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring the legality and validity of the decision.

The announcement was made following a meeting of a cabinet sub-committee, which was originally formed during the tenure of the previous Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, and subsequently revived after the formation of the new government led by Eknath Shinde of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This move highlights the government’s continued efforts to address the issue of reservation for the Maratha community and underscores its commitment to creating a robust and legally sound framework for the implementation of the policy.

The recent meeting attended by several key ministers, including Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, Revenue Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, Rural Development Minister Girish Mahajan, PWD Minister Dadaji Bhuse, Cooperatives Minister Dileep Walse-Patil, Excise Minister Shambhuraj Desai, Industries Minister Uday Samant, and School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar, along with officials from relevant departments, signifies the Maharashtra government’s concerted efforts to address the complex issue of reservation for the Maratha community.

During the meeting, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde proposed the establishment of a committee comprising three retired judges. This committee’s primary role will be to offer guidance and recommendations to the state government and the Backward Classes Commission regarding the potential submission of a curative petition to the Supreme Court.

This move underlines the government’s commitment to thoroughly exploring all legal avenues and seeking expert advice to ensure that the proposed reservation policy for the Maratha community aligns with constitutional provisions and withstands any potential legal scrutiny.

The participation of key ministers and the proposed formation of the committee reflect the government’s multi-faceted approach to the issue, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive and well-informed strategy in navigating the complex legal and social dimensions of the reservation policy. The government’s proactive engagement with various stakeholders and the decision to seek expert guidance from retired judges highlight its commitment to addressing the concerns of the Maratha community in a holistic and legally sound manner.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s recent statements shed light on the intricacies involved in the process of reviewing and translating the historical entries related to the Kunbi community, a crucial step in the implementation of the proposed reservation for the Maratha community. Justice (retired) Shinde committee’s comprehensive inspection of over 1.73 crore entries in the old registers unearthed 11,530 entries pertaining to the Kunbi community. Chief Minister Shinde emphasized the need for the translation of these entries from Persian and Modi script into contemporary languages, which has contributed to the lengthier timeframe for the completion of the process.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister clarified that the government is not making any new decisions in issuing Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas, citing the decision’s original implementation by the government in 1967. He emphasized that the current government is simply following through with the established decision, rather than introducing any novel initiatives in this regard.

Additionally, Chief Minister Shinde acknowledged the past challenges faced in securing reservation for the Maratha community. He highlighted the complexities encountered during the previous government’s attempts to secure the reservation, which initially received approval in the high court but later faced rejection by the Supreme Court due to identified shortcomings. While refraining from engaging in political discourse, Chief Minister Shinde emphasized the necessity of addressing the administrative and legal deficiencies highlighted by the Supreme Court, underscoring the importance of a comprehensive and legally sound approach in implementing the Maratha reservation policy.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s recent emphasis on the government’s pursuit of the pending curative petition in the Supreme Court reflects the administration’s commitment to presenting a robust legal argument in favor of the Maratha reservation policy. By highlighting the government’s efforts to demonstrate the legality and validity of the reservation policy from a legal standpoint, the Chief Minister underscores the importance of addressing the legal complexities and concerns raised by the Supreme Court, thereby emphasizing the government’s determination to secure the rightful implementation of the Maratha reservation.

Additionally, Chief Minister Shinde addressed the issue of violence incited in the name of the Maratha reservation, emphasizing the detrimental impact of such activities on the Maratha community. His remarks serve as a call for restraint and responsible conduct, urging those involved in the agitation to consider the broader implications of their actions on the community and to ensure that any form of protest remains peaceful and constructive.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister’s directive to the concerned officers to issue Kunbi caste certificates to eligible members of the community in Marathwada underscores the government’s commitment to expediting the process and ensuring the timely and efficient implementation of the reservation policy. His appeal to Manoj Jarange-Patil, presumably a key figure in the ongoing agitation, reflects the government’s proactive approach in maintaining dialogue and fostering a peaceful resolution to the issue, thereby emphasizing the importance of responsible leadership and collective cooperation in addressing the community’s concerns in a constructive and lawful manner.