Maratha Reservation: 'Our govt will not allow any injustice to the OBC community", says Devendra Fadnavis

Devendra Fadnavis. File pic/PTI

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday clarified that there will be no injustice done to any community in regards to the government's decision to grant reservation to Maratha community. This came after Union Minister Narayan Rane disagreed with the decision taken by the Maharashtra government led by on reservation to Maratha community stating that it may create dissatisfaction among other backward communities (OBC) in the state.

"With the ordinance, the rights of the Maratha community have become easily available to them. It was legal for the registered Maratha community to obtain the certificate. While doing so, 100% security is also provided to the OBC community. The personal role of some leaders may be different on this. What has been done will be brought to their attention," said Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

"The government has taken a decision that is benefiting the Maratha community, but there will be no injustice to any community. There is nothing for anyone to worry about in this. Our government will not allow any injustice to the OBC community. Recently, the reservation given to the Maratha community was upheld in the High Court. However, due to some reasons, the Supreme Court rejected that reservation. We have also launched a survey to determine these reasons," added Devendra Fadnavis.

Meanwhile, Narayan Rane, Union Minister of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) said that he will hold a press conference on Monday in Mumbai on the Maratha reservation issue.

Rane on Sunday in a post on social media platform X said, "I do not agree with the decision taken by the state government and the hope given regarding the reservation of the Maratha community. This may lead to discontent in the state as the Maratha community with historical traditions will be disappointed and this will lead to encroachment on other backward communities. Tomorrow is Monday. On January 29, I will hold a press conference and talk about it."

On January 27, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil ended his indefinite hunger strike after the Eknath Shinde led state government accepted all his demands on Maratha reservation. Shinde had held meetings with officials over the activist's demands and sent a delegation with a draft ordinance on Friday night after which Patil said he was calling off his protest.

Shinde also emphasised his commitment to the Maratha reservation and said, "We will ensure the reservation falls in legal framework."

Shinde said that Patil's demand was not to take away the reservation for the OBC. "OBC and Marathas live together in villages. Manoj Jarange Patil is of the view that reservations for any community must not be taken," he said.

Patil in his address to the gathering said, "This struggle was for reservation for Marathas. We came here to give 54 lakh Kunbi certificates."

On May 5, 2021, the Supreme Court struck down reservations for the Maratha community in colleges, higher educational institutions, and jobs, after noting that there was no valid ground to breach 50 per cent reservation while granting Maratha reservation.

(With ANI Inputs)