“Maratha Reservation Without Touching Existing Quotas”: Eknath Shinde

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced after an all-party meeting on Wednesday that the consensus was to provide reservation to the Maratha community without altering the existing quotas for other communities in the state.

In a press briefing in Mumbai, Mr. Shinde also made a plea to activist Manoj Jarange, who has been on a hunger strike advocating for Maratha reservation since October 25, urging him to end his fast and cooperate with the government.

He stated, “It was unanimously decided in the all-party meeting that the state should make efforts to secure Maratha reservation without affecting the existing quotas for other communities. I appeal and request Manoj Jarange to withdraw his fast and work in conjunction with the government. The state requires some time to prepare for the curative petition filed in the Supreme Court.”

Eknath Shinde, following an all-party meeting, confirmed that the unanimous decision was to grant reservation to the Maratha community without disrupting the existing quotas for other communities in the state. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Mr. Shinde also made a plea to activist Manoj Jarange, who has been on a hunger strike advocating for Maratha reservation since October 25, urging him to end his fast and allow the government some time.

He emphasized, “It was unanimously decided at the all-party meeting that the state should make sincere efforts to secure Maratha reservation without affecting the existing quotas for other communities. I appeal and request Manoj Jarange to withdraw his fast and collaborate with the government. The state requires some time to prepare for the curative petition filed in the Supreme Court.”

The government is actively pursuing two approaches: issuing Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas from Marathwada, enabling them to benefit from OBC reservation, and compiling a flawless submission for the curative petition submitted to the Supreme Court, Mr. Shinde added.

Furthermore, the all-party meeting expressed its disappointment regarding recent violent incidents. Mr. Shinde noted that such violent actions would tarnish the Maratha community’s reservation advocacy. The state government, he stressed, requires time to prepare a submission that withstands legal scrutiny. In his appeal to Jarange, the Chief Minister urged him to have faith in the government’s endeavors. He emphasized that ensuring the safety of the general public should not be compromised due to a few instances of violence. Mr. Shinde called for the united support of the entire Maratha community for the state government.