Maratha reservation: Meeting of Maharashtra Cabinet sub-committee today | Explainer

The issue of Maratha reservation has been a contentious one in Maharashtra politics for a long time. The Maratha community, which constitutes about 33% of the state's population, has been demanding reservation in government jobs and educational institutions under the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) category. However, the Supreme Court struck down the SEBC Act, 2018, which granted 16% reservation to Marathas, in May this year, saying that it violated the 50% ceiling on reservations imposed by the Constitution.

Since then, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, led by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, has been exploring various legal and political options to restore the quota for Marathas. The government has also formed a cabinet sub-committee, headed by Public Works Minister Ashok Chavan, to look into the matter and suggest ways to overcome the legal hurdles.

The cabinet sub-committee is scheduled to meet today at 4 pm to discuss the latest developments and decide the future course of action. Here are some of the key points that are likely to be on the agenda of the meeting:

- The sub-committee will review the report submitted by a panel of experts, headed by former Advocate General Darius Khambata, on how to implement the recommendations of the Gaikwad Commission, which had justified the need for Maratha reservation based on social and educational backwardness.

- The sub-committee will also consider the possibility of filing a review petition or a curative petition in the Supreme Court against its verdict quashing the SEBC Act. The government has already sought legal opinion from senior lawyers like Harish Salve and Mukul Rohatgi on this matter.

- The sub-committee will also discuss the option of approaching the President of India or the Parliament to seek an amendment to the Constitution to provide reservation to Marathas beyond the 50% limit. This would require the consent of at least half of the states in India and a two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament.

- The sub-committee will also take stock of the ongoing protests by various Maratha outfits across the state, demanding immediate restoration of the quota. The protests have intensified in recent days, with some activists resorting to violence and self-immolation. The government has appealed to the protesters to maintain peace and assured them that it is committed to finding a solution within the legal framework.

- The sub-committee will also consult with other stakeholders, such as political parties, social organisations, and community leaders, to seek their views and suggestions on how to resolve the issue amicably. The government has also invited representatives of other backward classes (OBCs), who have opposed any dilution of their existing 27% reservation, for a dialogue.

The meeting of the cabinet sub-committee is expected to be crucial in deciding the fate of Maratha reservation in Maharashtra. The government is under pressure from both its allies and opponents to deliver on its promise of providing quota to Marathas without affecting other communities. The outcome of the meeting will also have implications for the upcoming local body elections in the state, where Maratha votes can make a difference.

Source:

(1) India TV poll: Will the ongoing Maratha reservation protests dent the Maharashtra government in the elections?. https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/india-tv-opinion-poll-will-the-ongoing-maratha-reservation-protests-dent-the-maharashtra-government-in-the-elections-2023-09-05-890906.

(2) Protests over Maratha reservation shut down 46 Maharashtra bus depots, causing loss of over ₹13 cr. https://www.livemint.com/news/india/protests-over-maratha-reservation-shut-down-46-maharashtra-bus-depots-causing-loss-of-over-rs-13-cr-11693884266688.html.

(3) Maratha Reservation: Panel to Submit Report on Kunbi Caste Certificates Within 30 Days. https://thewire.in/caste/maratha-reservation-panel-to-submit-report-on-kunbi-caste-certificates-within-30-days.

(4) Maratha reservation: A long history of political tug-of-war and .... https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/maratha-quota-history-maratha-reservation-protests-8924782/.

(5) Explained: How Marathas got reservation, and what happens now. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-how-marathas-got-reservation-and-what-happens-now-7303056/.