In Maharashtra, major decisions have been made to support the Maratha community and address their demands. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is credited as the key leader behind these historic steps, including the implementation of important notifications like the Hyderabad Gazette, which recognizes Kunbi certificates for Marathas.
Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil explained that these decisions were carefully discussed with legal experts and the Justice Shinde Committee. He emphasized that the government’s move aims to include more Marathas into mainstream opportunities and clarify that there’s no threat to reservation rights of other communities like OBCs.
Vikhe-Patil spoke after a recent meeting with pro-Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil, who had been on a five-day hunger strike at Azad Maidan. He urged opposition groups like Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to reflect on the government’s efforts rather than criticize the decisions.
The minister also clarified that records during British rule in districts are stored in the Hyderabad Gazette and that certificates will be issued only after proper verification. “We want to help the Maratha community, especially those who were left out earlier, and provide them better opportunities,” Vikhe-Patil said, dismissing concerns about reservations for other communities.
He pointed out that Chief Minister Fadnavis played a crucial role in granting 16% reservation to the Maratha community during his first term from 2014 to 2019. He accused the previous MVA government of removing that reservation later, which has been a sore point for many Marathas.
Recently, the government approved the implementation of the Hyderabad and Satara gazettes, recognizing Marathas and Kunbis as the same community. They also move forward with notifications like “Sage Soyare,” which relate to blood and marital relations within the community. These steps are part of efforts to ensure all Marathas, especially in Marathwada, are recognized as they were during the Nizam era.
Fadnavis expressed happiness that Manoj Jarange-Patil ended his hunger strike and praised leaders Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar for their support. The government clarified that caste certificates can be issued to individuals, not entire communities, to avoid misunderstandings.
The government’s focus remains on inclusive development and addressing grievances, with leaders committed to ensuring justice and proper implementation of reservation policies for all communities in Maharashtra.
