What is the Maratha quota issue & what's behind fresh agitation, violence in Maharashtra?

Summary

The Maharashtra government has formed an Advisory Board with three retired judges to address the longstanding Maratha reservation issue. Protests demanding reservation in jobs and education for Marathas have intensified, with the government trying to balance caste dynamics and legal challenges. The Supreme Court's decision to strike down previous reservation attempts has led to ongoing agitations, including hunger strikes and protests, as the government navigates a complex social and political landscape.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Maharashtra government has formed an Advisory Board with three retired judges to address the Maratha reservation issue.
• 🚨 Marathas have been protesting for a month, demanding reservation in jobs and education, which has become a significant local concern.
• 🔍 The issue of Maratha reservation dates back to the 1980s, with the first call for reservation made by labor union leader Anas Pel.
• 📉 A previous attempt to provide 16% reservation was made by the Congress and NCP government in 2014 but was challenged and reduced by the Bombay High Court.
• 🏛 The Supreme Court struck down the reservation in 2021 due to the potential breach of the reservation cap, which is 50% plus the 10% Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) reservation.
• 👥 Marathas make up 33-34% of Maharashtra's population and are predominantly from agricultural backgrounds, facing distress due to agricultural issues.
• 🌾 The demand for reservation has intensified due to the agricultural distress faced by the majority of Marathas, especially in Western Maharashtra and Marathwada regions.
• 📢 The current government, led by the Akat Sena along with BJP, has promised to look into the reservation issue but has faced protests for not delivering a solution quickly.
• 👊 Local Maratha leader Mano Jang Pale has been on a hunger strike demanding reservation and recognition of KBI certificates for OBC benefits.
• 🛑 The police's handling of the protest, including the use of force, has further agitated the Maratha community and brought the issue to the forefront.
• 📝 The government is now considering the KBI certificate issue and the overall reservation demand, with a committee led by Justice Shinde looking into the matter and validating certificates.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the Advisory Board formed by the Maharashtra government?

The Advisory Board, consisting of three retired judges, was formed to look into the Maratha reservation issue and provide suggestions to the government, which will then present its case in the Supreme Court.

What is the historical background of the Maratha reservation issue?

The Maratha reservation issue dates back to the 1980s when a union leader first demanded reservation for Marathas in jobs and education. Despite several attempts and government ordinances over the years, the issue has faced legal challenges and has been a point of contention.

What triggered the resurgence of the Maratha reservation protests in recent years?

The protests resurfaced in 2016 after a Maratha girl was allegedly gang-raped and murdered, leading to widespread demand for justice and reservation. Subsequent government actions and legal challenges have kept the issue in the spotlight.

What actions did the Maharashtra government take in response to the Maratha protests in 2018?

In 2018, the Maharashtra government led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis passed a bill granting 16% reservation to Marathas in jobs and education, which was later modified by the Bombay High Court to 12% in education and 13% in jobs.

Why was the Maratha reservation struck down by the Supreme Court in 2021?

The Supreme Court struck down the Maratha reservation in 2021 because it breached the reservation cap already set in Maharashtra, which included 52% existing reservations and an additional 10% for the economically weaker sections.

What are the two main parts of the Maratha reservation issue that the Maharashtra government is currently addressing?

The two main parts are the verification of KBI certificates for Marathas from Marathwada to potentially include them in the OBC category, and the broader issue of providing reservation to all Marathas in jobs and education.

What is the significance of the KBI certificates in the context of Maratha reservations?

KBI certificates are significant because they could potentially allow Marathas from the Marathwada region to be classified under the OBC category, enabling them to receive reservation benefits.

How has the OBC community in Maharashtra reacted to the possibility of Marathas receiving KBI certificates?

The OBC community is concerned that granting KBI certificates to Marathas will increase competition for the existing reservations and affect their own reservation benefits.

What challenges does the Maharashtra government face in resolving the Maratha reservation issue?

The government faces the challenge of balancing the demands of the Maratha community while not alienating the OBC community, which is a significant voter base. Additionally, the issue is legally complex and currently under the purview of the Supreme Court.

What steps has the Maharashtra government taken to expedite the resolution of the Maratha reservation issue?

The government has formed an Advisory Board and extended the timeline for the committee led by Justice Shinde to scrutinize documents related to KBI certificates. They are also expediting the process of validating these certificates and have scrutinized over one crore documents so far.