Maharashtra Pushes Ahead with Maratha Quota Plan Despite OBC Concerns
Mumbai’s latest move on the Maratha quota issue is making waves. The Maharashtra cabinet subcommittee, headed by Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, met on Tuesday and confirmed that the state government has kicked off the implementation of a key government resolution (GR) from September 2. This GR allows members of the Maratha community to get Kunbi caste certificates based on the Hyderabad Gazetteer. And guess what? Officials say there’s absolutely no plan to backtrack on this decision.
Vikhe Patil shared this update right after the meeting, stressing that the subcommittee aims to keep social harmony alive in Maharashtra. He even addressed the confusion raised by NCP leader and State Minister Chhagan Bhujbal. "If Bhujbal has any doubts about our Maratha quota decision, we’ll sit down with him and sort it out," Vikhe Patil said. This comes just hours after Bhujbal wrote to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging him to scrap the September 2 order. Bhujbal worries it could mess with the reservations for the OBC category and spark chaos across the state.
But Vikhe Patil shot down Bhujbal’s claim that the GR came under pressure. "We held three to four meetings under the Chief Minister’s guidance, and everything was fair. No biases here," he explained. The subcommittee has kept the door open for talks with all sides. They’ve even set up a similar panel for the OBC community. "We can hold joint meetings with both chairpersons to find a balanced way forward," Vikhe Patil added, showing their commitment to unity amid the Maratha reservation row.
On a positive note, the government is moving fast on other promises to the Maratha community. Vikhe Patil announced that cases against Maratha protesters will wrap up by month’s end. District Collectors and Superintendents of Police will review these every Monday and send proposals to the committee. They’ve issued strict instructions for quick action.
Aid for families affected by the protests is also rolling out. The government has decided to provide assistance to the families of 96 people who died during the Maratha quota agitation. The funds have already reached the District Collectors in the last couple of days. Plus, they’ve started fulfilling the pledge to hire heirs of the deceased in government jobs. In today’s meeting, they greenlit proposals for jobs in the State Transport Corporation and Industrial Development Corporation.
For the vehicles seized from Maratha protesters in Mumbai, a detailed report is in the works. "We’ll verify the exact details before deciding on withdrawals," Vikhe Patil said. It’s all about getting things right in this sensitive Maratha community support drive.
Turning to pro-Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil’s plan for a protest starting September 17, Vikhe Patil urged patience. "The subcommittee has made all the calls, and implementation is underway. But we need some time for it to fully take effect," he noted. The committee has also fast-tracked a report on the 1818 Satara Gazette, as demanded by Jarange Patil. Pune Divisional Commissioner must submit it within three days. Once ready, they’ll issue a new GR based on it, similar to the Hyderabad one.
A senior Maharashtra minister on the committee highlighted the Satara Gazette’s value. "It’s a detailed record listing families under the Kunbi tag, especially from western Maharashtra. This will help many with roots there get their Kunbi certificates easily." The government is ensuring accurate translations from the Modi script, along with Urdu and Farsi in both the Satara and Hyderabad gazettes. No room for errors here.
To make the Kunbi certificate process smoother for Marathas, Vikhe Patil revealed that district collectors will start training programs for officials right away. Under the September 2 GR, villages will form three-member committees to check family lineage proofs and approve certificates. Beed district is already ahead—they’ve begun training and lead in issuing Kunbi certificates.
"We must train everyone because people will soon line up for these certificates. District admins, get started on the GR process now," Vikhe Patil directed. This step shows Maharashtra’s government is serious about balancing Maratha quota demands with OBC rights, all while avoiding more unrest. Stay tuned as this Maratha reservation update unfolds.
