Maharashtra's Reservation Dilemma: All-Party Meeting to Decide OBC and Maratha Quotas

Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal announced an all-party meeting to discuss extending reservations to Marathas with Kunbi caste certificates. The government is also considering a caste census and ensuring no injustice to OBCs or Marathas. Bhujbal will visit Jalna to persuade OBC activists protesting against diluting their quota.

Maharashtra's political landscape is set for a crucial debate, as state minister Chhagan Bhujbal announced an all-party meeting to address the contentious issue of extending reservations to Marathas with Kunbi caste certificates. The gathering is scheduled for June 29, during the state legislature's monsoon session.

Bhujbal, an OBC leader and NCP member, revealed that the government is positive about conducting a caste census. The goal is to ensure fairness for both OBCs and Marathas, amid opposition from OBC groups fearing a dilution of their quota. In a bid to address tensions, Bhujbal and other cabinet ministers will meet with hunger-striking OBC activists in Jalna.

The minister also mentioned the formation of a sub-committee to tackle OBC-related issues, mirroring a similar initiative for Marathas. Additionally, Marathas with Kunbi certificates will need to link them to Aadhaar cards to prevent fraud. The ongoing debate includes calls to scrap a draft notification granting Kunbi status to Maratha relatives, highlighting the complexity and sensitivity of the reservation discourse in Maharashtra.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)