Osmanabad- In a significant development, BJP National Secretary Pankaja Munde emphasized that the Maratha community is seeking tangible actions on the issue of reservation, rather than empty assurances. She urged the Maharashtra government to engage in constructive dialogues with protesters to find a resolution to the ongoing impasse. Munde made these remarks while speaking to reporters during her ‘Shivshakti Parikrama Yatra’ in Osmanabad.
Munde asserted, “The Maharashtra government possesses the capability to make decisions regarding Maratha reservation. It has formulated a plan outlining the extent of reservation allocation for various communities. The government should engage in discussions with protesters with confidence and determination to provide reservation to the Maratha community.”
She acknowledged that if the state wishes to remain within the confines of the 50% quota limit, a substantial decision would need to be made at the national level. Munde noted that the central government faces similar challenges in multiple states, and its actions would be guided by constitutional constraints.
The BJP leader emphasized that the Maratha community no longer desires mere pledges; they demand concrete steps toward securing reservations. She further called upon the state government to avoid exacerbating tensions between the Maratha and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities.
Munde underlined the importance of unity and urged both communities not to engage in conflicts. She encouraged members of the Maratha community to press the government for reservation through peaceful protests, while also emphasizing the significance of preserving lives and continuing the struggle for the benefit of future generations.
The Maratha reservation issue gained prominence when the police resorted to baton charges to disperse a violent mob in Antarwali Sarati village, Jalna district. The protesters allegedly obstructed authorities attempting to move Manoj Jarange, an activist on a hunger strike, to a hospital.
Manoj Jarange, who continues his hunger strike, called on the government to remove the requirement for Marathas from the Marathwada region to provide genealogical records when applying for Kunbi caste certificates and availing of OBC category reservations. The state government issued a Government Resolution (GR) stating that Kunbi caste certificates would only be issued to Maratha community members from Marathwada if they could provide genealogical records from the Nizam era, a period when the region was part of the Nizam-ruled Hyderabad state.
Kunbis, primarily associated with agricultural occupations, are classified under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category and are entitled to reservation benefits in education and government employment.
PTI
