Chhagan Bhujbal asserts Marathas cannot get OBC quota, calls for caste census

Chhagan Bhujbal/ File Photo

Maharashtra Minister and tall OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal reiterated that the Maratha community cannot be granted reservation from the quota allocated to the Other Backward Classes (OBC). Bhujbal, per the PTI report, renewed his call for a caste census in Maharashtra.

Reportedly, Maharashtra's food and civil supplies minister made the statement while speaking to the media on Monday in the wake of a hunger strike by quota activists Laxman Hake and Navnath Waghmare. The duo's protest has now entered its sixth day.

According to the PTI report, on Monday, a government delegation met Hake and Waghmare urging them to end their fast. However, the activists refused and reaffirmed that while they are not against the Maratha reservation, it should not affect the existing OBC quota.

Bhujbal, per the PTI report, stated, "The Maratha community cannot be given reservation from the OBC quota. We are not saying this, but the past four commissions (on reservation) have stated the same. Even the Supreme Court said no to it."

He mentioned the ongoing protests led by Maratha activist Manoj Jarange, who is also demanding reservation for Marathas from the OBC quota. Bhujbal argued that a caste-based census in the state would pave the way for more funds for the OBC community, the report added.

"Now there is again a demand for reservation from the OBC (quota). A caste-based census in the state will pave the way for more funds for the OBC community," Bhujbal said.

The striking OBC activists have been demanding the scrapping of the state government's draft notification that recognises Kunbis as "sage soyare" (blood relatives) of Maratha community members. Bhujbal has claimed that the Kunbi records are being manipulated to include Marathas, the report further stated.

OBC quota protest in Maharashtra flares

Two activists, demanding assurance that the OBC quota will not be disrupted amid the Maratha reservation demand, continued their fast for the sixth day here on Tuesday, claiming that the Maharashtra government was ignoring their concerns, reported PTI.

According to the PTI report, activists Laxman Hake and Navnath Waghmare, who have been on hunger strike at Wadigodri village in Jalna district since June 13, refused to allow physicians to examine them or administer intravenous fluids.

Hake, on Monday, told reporters, "We will not end the fast until the government gives a written assurance. We are not against reservation for Marathas, but it should not disrupt the OBC quota."