In a recent statement, prominent activist Manoj Jarange Patil has raised concerns about Other Backward Classes (OBCs) benefiting disproportionately from the reservation system, at the expense of the Maratha community. Jarange Patil, who has been a vocal advocate for Maratha reservations, asserted that the Marathas should receive quota benefits as initially recommended by the Mandal Commission for backward classes.
The 40-year-old activist, who gained attention for staging a hunger strike in Jalna district, has now set a 40-day ultimatum for the government led by Eknath Shinde to take concrete steps toward implementing reservations for the Maratha community.
Jarange Patil questioned the rationale behind increasing the reservation limit from the Mandal Commission’s designated 14% to the current 30-32%, suggesting that Maratha inclusion in the OBC category wouldn’t negatively affect their quota.
He further pointed out discrepancies in the application process, noting that while other communities added to the reservation list face relatively fewer document requirements, Marathas are subjected to extensive paperwork. He expressed his belief that OBCs are benefiting excessively from these reservations.
Jarange Patil emphasized that all Marathas are essentially Kunbis, primarily engaged in agriculture. In the Vidarbha region, the Kunbi community enjoys reservation benefits, and he called on the government to issue Kunbi certificates to all Marathas in the state.
Last week, the activist threatened to escalate his agitation if the Maharashtra government failed to provide reservations for the Maratha community in jobs and education by October 24. As this deadline approaches, he is set to address the community on October 22 to outline the next steps if their demand remains unmet.
Chandrashekhar Bawankule, the Maharashtra BJP chief, expressed a willingness to accommodate decisions regarding Maratha reservations that align with Jarange Patil’s demands while considering the broader impact on society.
Jarange Patil’s activism has rekindled the debate on reservation policies in Maharashtra, adding more pressure on the government to address this issue.
