Shinde promises special session of Maharashtra Assembly in February for Maratha quota

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shindesaid that a special session of the Maharashtra Assembly, if required, would be convened in February next year to grant reservation for the Maratha community

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on December 19 said that a special session of the Maharashtra Assembly, if required, would be convened in February next year to grant reservation for the Maratha community after reviewing the State Backward Class Commission’s report to the government on the Maratha quota issue.

Mr. Shinde, who was addressing the Legislative Assembly on the penultimate day of the winter session after tabling the Justice (retd.) Sandeep Shinde Committee report on Maratha reservation, reiterated the State government’s commitment towards ensuring a fool-proof quota for the Marathas, while urging quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil to repose faith in the government.  

Also read: Maratha quota demand | Maharashtra’s winter of caste discontent

“The Justice Shinde Committee set up for Maratha quota has submitted its report to the government. The report of the Maharashtra Backward Class Commission, proving that the Marathas are socio-economically backward, will be submitted within a month’s time. After reviewing this report, as per requirement, I promise to summon a special session of the State Legislature to give reservation to the Maratha community,” the CM said, while enumerating all the steps taken by his government to work towards a quota for the Maratha community.

Mr. Shinde reiterated that while giving a quota to the Marathas, the existing Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation would not be affected in any way.

 “While the Supreme Court had dismissed the review petition over the reservation issue in 2021, a window has opened through the curative petition. Work is currently going on a war-footing by the Backward Class Commission to prove the Marathas as socio-economically backward. However, while this is on, we keep repeating time and again that the OBC reservation will not be affected,” Mr. Shinde said.

Cautioning both ruling and Opposition party leaders to not foment tensions between Maratha and OBC communities, Mr. Shinde exhorted leaders of both sides to take care to ensure that there were no schisms between the two communities, and that a fraternal feeling was maintained.