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'May create unrest': Union Minister on Shinde government's Maratha quota decision

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 1/30/2024 7:32:48 AM

Mumbai, Jan 29 Union Minister Narayan Rane on Sunday disapproved the Maharashtra government's decision to give all benefits enjoyed by the OBCs to the Maratha community till they get reservation. In a post written in Marathi on X, Rane, a BJP leader, said the move by the EknathShinde-led government would lead to encroachment on the rights of other backward communities and could lead to unrest in Maharashtra. On January 27, activist Manoj Jarange called off his indefinite fast for Maratha quota after the Maharashtra government accepted his demands, with Chief Minister Shinde announcing that till the Marathas get reservation, they will be given all the benefits enjoyed by the OBCs. A draft notification was issued by the government following negotiations with Jarange, stating that blood relatives of a Maratha person, who has records to show that he belongs to the agrarian Kunbi community, would also be recognised as Kunbi. Kunbi, an agrarian community, falls in the OBC category, and Jarange, who has been spearheading the agitation for reservation for the Marathas since August last year, has been demanding Kunbi certificates for all Marathas. Maharashtra cabinet minister ChhaganBhujbal, an NCP member from the AjitPawar camp, has also expressed dissatisfaction over the state government's decision and questioned the "backdoor entry" of Marathas into the OBC category. Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader DevendraFadnavis has tried to assuage the concerns of the OBCs, stating that Marathas would not get Kunbi caste certificate without any proof.