Maratha Reservation: What upsets Manoj Jarange-Patil to go for 'rasta roko' agitation?

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil. (File photo)

The Maratha reservation issue continues to simmer, despite the Eknath Shinde-led government's efforts to resolve it before the upcoming general elections scheduled for April-May. Despite these endeavours, a resolution has not yet been achieved, indicating a stalemate in the efforts to effectively address the issue.

Maratha Quota Activist Threatens Roadblock Agitation

Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil has issued a firm ultimatum, demanding the implementation of the 'sage soyare' (blood relation) law within two days. Failing this, the activist has warned of initiating a statewide 'Adarsh' rasta roko (roadblock) agitation starting from February 24. He emphasised the seriousness of the situation by threatening a widespread roadblock across the state, including Mumbai, on March 3, as a demonstration of the community's unity and determination.

What is Sage-soyare?

Sage-soyare', a Marathi term denoting 'relatives from the family tree', includes individuals connected through familial lineage. According to the government notification, this term includes relatives of an applicant's father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and preceding generations resulting from marriages within the same caste.

Jarange-Patil Questions Legality of Bill

Jarange-Patil asserted that the bill proposing 10 percent reservation for the Maratha community would not pass legal scrutiny. He reiterated his call for the Maharashtra government's draft notification regarding 'blood relatives' of Kunbi Marathas to be converted into law.

Also Read: Maratha Reservation: Who is Manoj Jarange-Patil, a key figure at forefront of quota agitation

What is Kunbi?

Kunbi, an agrarian community, is categorised under the Other Backward Classes (OBC), and the activist has been advocating for Kunbi certificates to be provided to all Marathas. Jarange-Patil suggested that the most appropriate approach for providing reservation would be to consider historical documents related to Kunbi Marathas. He emphasises that the Maratha community seeks reservation under the OBC category, as Kunbi historically falls within this classification.

However, the quota activist criticised the government for not meeting their demand and instead proposing a separate quota.

Maharashtra Passes 10% Quota for Marathas

During a one-day special session on February 20, the Maharashtra legislature unanimously passed a bill providing 10 per cent reservation for the Maratha community in education and government jobs under a separate category.

However, Jarange-Patil remains steadfast in his demand for quota for the community under the OBC category. He insists on this classification, citing a similar bill that faced legal scrutiny and was struck down in 2021.

Also Read | Why Maratha Quota Bill may face tough time in courts

Lack of Justification in Exceeding Quota Ceiling

Earlier, the apex court ruled that the government had not substantiated any exceptional circumstances or presented adequate empirical data regarding the Marathas to justify surpassing the 50 percent quota ceiling. It also cited the findings of the Gaikwad Commission, which indicated that over 30 percent of Marathas were employed in public service positions.

Jarange-Patil Advocates for 'Sage Soyare' for Broader Inclusion

Jarange-Patil emphasised that the current bill passed by the government would only extend reservation benefits to a mere 100-150 individuals within the Maratha community, leaving the majority without access to these benefits. As a result, he stresses the importance of implementing "Sage Soyare" to ensure broader inclusion and the equitable distribution of reservation benefits among all members of the Maratha community.

The quota activist has emphasised that the reservation should fall under the OBC quota, as creating a separate quota would potentially violate the directive of the Supreme Court.

Activist Demands for OBC Reservation via Kunbi Caste Certificates

The movement advocating for reservation for the Maratha community has been ongoing for a considerable period. Jarange-Patil remains adamant in his demand for Marathas to receive reservation under the OBC category by issuing them Kunbi caste certificates.

Bill Argues Against OBC Classification

The bill highlights that a significant number of castes and groups are already included in the reserved category, receiving nearly 52 per cent of reservations collectively. Therefore, it argues that placing the Maratha community in the OBC category would be entirely inequitable.

According to the draft notification issued by the state government last month, if a Maratha individual can provide proof to show affiliation with the Kunbi caste, their blood relatives will also be acknowledged as Kunbi.

Key Points Highlighted in MSBC's Report

The Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission's (MSBC's) report shed light on the social, economic, and educational conditions of the Maratha community in the state. Here are some key points highlighted in the report:

(1.) Population Percentage: The Maratha community constitutes approximately 28 percent of the total population in Maharashtra.

(2.) Economic Status: A significant portion of Maratha families, particularly those below the poverty line, holds yellow ration cards. The percentage of Maratha families with yellow ration cards (21.22 percent) is higher than the state average (17.4 percent).

(3.) Educational Backwardness: The survey indicates that 84 percent of Maratha families do not fall into the progressed category, suggesting a lack of socio-economic advancement within the community.

(4.) Eligibility for Reservation: Based on the findings and the precedent set by the Indra Sawhney case, a large proportion of Maratha families are deemed eligible for reservation benefits.

(5.) Farmers' Suicides: The report also highlights a concerning statistic regarding farmers' suicides, noting that 94 percent of such cases in Maharashtra involve families from the Maratha community.

These findings highlight the socio-economic challenges faced by the Maratha community and provide a basis for the government's efforts to address their concerns through reservation policies.

Govt Forms Justice Shukre Commission to Tackle Reservation Issue

The establishment of the Justice Shukre commission by the Shinde government in December 2023 aimed to address the issue of Maratha reservation by conducting a comprehensive survey. Chaired by retired Justice Sunil B Shukre of the Bombay High Court, the panel undertook a significant survey covering a vast number of families across the state.

According to the findings of the Shukre commission, the Maratha population in the state is estimated to be 28 percent. Additionally, a substantial majority, 84 percent, of Marathas are categorised as not advanced. The commission argues that given the significant backwardness within the Maratha community, accommodating them within the OBC category may not be feasible.

The commission attributes the current socio-economic status of the Marathas to various factors, including extreme poverty, declining agricultural income, and fragmentation of land holdings.

In a nutshell, the findings of the Justice Shukre panel offer a detailed understanding of the socio-economic landscape of the Maratha community. These insights provide a foundation for ongoing discussions and policy deliberations concerning their reservation status.