Maratha Reservation Explained: The Maratha Reservation Bill Journey Through Maharashtra's History

Summary

The Maharashtra Assembly's approval of the Marata Reservation Bill on February 20th has heightened social and political tensions. The bill grants a 10% reservation for the Marata community in education and jobs, increasing the total reservation to 62%. The Maratas, who make up 33% of Maharashtra's population, have long sought such reservations. Despite past efforts and legal challenges, including a Supreme Court setback in 2021, the demand for recognition as a socially and educationally backward class (KES) within the OBC quota has intensified, leading to polarization and opposition from OBC organizations and other communities seeking their own reservations.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The Maharashtra assembly approved the Maratha Reservation Bill, which grants 10% reservation for the Maratha community in education and jobs.
• 👥 The Marathas are a significant community, comprising various castes including peasants and landowners, and make up nearly 33% of Maharashtra's population.
• 🗣️ Not all Marathi-speaking people belong to the Maratha community, despite the community's Marathi language association.
• 📊 The reservation breakdown in Maharashtra now includes 13.5% for Scheduled Castes, 7% for Scheduled Tribes, 19% for OBCs, and 2% for Special Backward Class, among others.
• 📜 The first protest for Maratha reservations was held 32 years ago by labor union leader Anna Sah Patle in Mumbai, marking the beginning of a long struggle.
• 📝 In 2014, the state government introduced an ordinance for 16% reservation in government jobs and education for Marathas, based on the Narayan R committee recommendations.
• 🏛️ In November 2018, the government approved reservations for Marathas under the Socially and Educational Backward Class Act, following the findings of the Backward Class Commission.
• 🏢 The reservation gave the BJP a political edge over rivals Congress and NCP, highlighting its significance in electoral politics.
• 🚫 In 2021, the Supreme Court struck down the quota for Marathas under the Socially and Educational Backward Class Act 2018, leading to further agitation.
• 🔄 The Marathas sought recognition as KES (Socially and Educationally Backward Class) to be eligible for benefits under the OBC quota.
• 💥 The new law has increased the total reservation to 62%, including a 10% quota for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), causing a polarization between Marathas and OBCs.
• 🚨 OBC organizations oppose the Maratha demand within the OBC category, fearing a reduction in their limited quota, while other communities like Dangayat Lingayat and Muslims have also raised demands for reservations.

Q & A

What is the Maratha Reservation Bill and what does it grant?

The Maratha Reservation Bill is a legislative act passed by the Maharashtra assembly that grants 10% reservation for the Maratha community in both education and jobs.

Who are the Marathas and what percentage of Maharashtra's population do they constitute?

The Marathas are a group of castes, including peasants and landowners, and they constitute nearly 33% of Maharashtra's population.

What is the distinction between Marathi speakers and the Maratha community?

While most Marathas speak Marathi, not all Marathi-speaking people belong to the Maratha community.

What is the current breakdown of reservations in Maharashtra prior to the Maratha Reservation Bill?

Prior to the bill, the reservation breakdown in Maharashtra included 13.3% for Scheduled Castes, 7% for Scheduled Tribes, 19% for Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and 2% for Special Backward Class, among others.

When was the first protest for Maratha reservations held and who led it?

The first protest for Maratha reservations was held 32 years ago and was led by Matari labor union leader Anna Sah Patle in Mumbai.

What was the political context in 2014 regarding Maratha reservations?

In 2014, ahead of the assembly elections, the then Prv Chavan-led state government introduced an ordinance for 16% reservation for Marathas in government jobs and education.

When was the Maratha reservation officially approved by the government and on what basis?

In November 2018, the government approved the reservation for Marathas under the Socially and Educationally Backward Class Act, based on the findings of the Backward Class Commission headed by MG Gad.

What was the Bombay High Court's stance on the Maratha quota in 2019?

In June 2019, the Bombay High Court upheld the constitutional validity of the Maratha quota under the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Act, 2018.

What was the Supreme Court's decision regarding the Maratha quota in 2021?

In 2021, the Supreme Court struck down the quota for Marathas under the state's Socially and Educationally Backward Class Act 2018.

What is the new total percentage of reservation after the passing of the Maratha Reservation Bill?

With the passing of the Maratha Reservation Bill, the total reservation has increased from 52% to 62% in Maharashtra.

What has been the reaction of OBC organizations to the Maratha demand for reservation within the OBC category?

OBC organizations have come together to oppose the Maratha demand for reservation within the OBC category, arguing that they already have a limited quota and cannot afford to share it with the Marathas.

What other communities have raised demands for reservations following the Maratha Reservation Bill?

Other communities such as Danga Lingayat and Muslims have also raised demands for reservations.