Maharashtra Minister Chhagan Bhujbal Vows to Fight for OBC Rights Against Maratha Reservation Push
In a bold stand, Maharashtra minister and Samata Parishad founder Chhagan Bhujbal has ramped up his opposition to the government’s recent decision on Maratha community reservations. On Friday, he slammed the September 2 government resolution (GR) that allows Marathas with valid Kunbi proof to get caste certificates. Bhujbal made it clear: he’s ready to take this fight to the courts and the streets to safeguard OBC reservations.
Speaking in Nashik and Latur, Bhujbal said, "India’s democracy gives us faith in the judiciary. We’ll battle legally and on the ground to protect OBC quotas." He announced plans to file a petition in the Supreme Court soon, challenging the GR. "No government can add or remove anyone from reservations like this," he added. The GR lets people with Kunbi records submit affidavits for their clan and relatives to claim OBC status, which Bhujbal sees as a direct threat to OBC rights.
Bhujbal’s visit to Latur hit home when he met the family of Bharat Mahadev Karad, a young man from Wangdari who tragically took his own life, feeling hopeless about losing OBC reservation benefits. Urging the OBC community to stay strong, Bhujbal promised, "As long as I’m around, I won’t let OBC reservations suffer." He called for unity, drawing inspiration from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s ancestors, and stressed fighting with courage and patience.
Diving into the history, Bhujbal pointed out that Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution pushed for OBC reservations. The Mandal Commission later recommended 27% quota for them. He noted that multiple commissions have ruled out including the Maratha community in OBC categories. Instead, the central government offered 10% EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) reservation for Marathas, while the state added a 10% SEBC quota.
Bhujbal highlighted how the government has rolled out more education and job schemes for Marathas than for OBCs. Yet, pressure led to this GR, he claimed, calling it a "blow to OBCs." Some OBC members now fear their quotas are gone, leading to heartbreaking suicides. "OBC kids in Maharashtra just want fair access to education and jobs," he said, slamming the unequal grants and schemes that shortchange them.
He didn’t hold back on the bigger picture: The push for Kunbi status to Marathas is holding Maharashtra "hostage," going against the Constitution and court rulings. "No community gets labeled socially backward just because of political pressure," Bhujbal warned. He urged no attempts to bundle Marathas into OBC backward classes, vowing to stand firm with the OBC community.
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