Maharashtra Cabinet Approves 10% Reservation for Maratha Community in Education and Government Jobs

Maharashtra government has approved a draft Bill to extend 10 per cent reservation to Marathas in education and jobs

In a landmark decision, the Maharashtra Cabinet has granted approval for a 10% reservation in educational institutions and government employment for the Maratha community. This move follows the recommendation of the Maharashtra Backward Class Commission, which affirmed the social and educational backwardness of the Maratha community.

The commission's report, submitted to the Maharashtra government last Friday, highlighted that 84% of Marathas are not considered advanced or well-to-do, underscoring the need for targeted affirmative action.

The commission proposed exceeding the 50% reservation cap in the state, citing exceptional circumstances that warrant addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by the Maratha community.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's government is set to introduce a bill on Tuesday to formalize the reservation for the Maratha community. A special session of the Vidhan Sabha has been convened to deliberate on the 'Maratha reservation' as the primary agenda.

This decision comes after years of advocacy by Maratha leaders, including Jarange Patil, who have campaigned for reservations in education and employment under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.

However, internal disagreements within the Maharashtra government persist regarding the mechanism of extending reservations, particularly objections to the guarantee of reservations under the Kumbi category by senior leader Chhagan Bhujbal.

The proposed Maratha Reservation Bill is reminiscent of the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Act, 2018, introduced during the tenure of former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Despite legal challenges, including a Supreme Court ruling striking down reservations for Marathas in college admissions and jobs in Maharashtra in 2021, the state government remains committed to addressing the socio-economic disparities faced by the Maratha community.

The decision to extend reservations to the Maratha community underscores the government's commitment to promoting social justice and equitable access to opportunities for all communities in Maharashtra. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.