Mumbai: Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Saturday reiterated that Marathas will show their strength to the government if they are not given reservation before December 24. However, he also said that he has faith in the government and chief minister Eknath Shinde.
“Reservation has been denied to the Maratha community for the last 70 years, But now time has come to get it. If by December 24, the government fails to take a decision, we will decide our future course of action on December 25. We will show our strength,” Mr. Jarange said.
The activist’s statement comes at a time when the winter sessions of the state legislature is going on in Nagpur. The quota activist is expecting the government to bring a Maratha reservation bill in the ongoing session. “I am 100 per cent sure that Marathas will get reservation by December 24. We are keeping a close eye on the developments. The committee appointed by the state government has found Kunbi caste records of Marathas in big numbers and this calls for a legislation for reservation to Marathas.,” he said.
‘Kunbi’ is one of the caste already listed as OBCs and if Marathas are recognised as Kunbis, they will also be entitled to get reservation as OBCs. However, the government is exploring ways to provide separate reservation to Marathas outside the existing reservations. OBCs are also opposing inclusion of Marathas in their category.
Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who has been at the forefront of Mr. Jarange’s demand for Kunbi caste certificates, hit out at the government for tolerating the ultimatums given by Mr. Jarange. He questioned why the police are not taking action against the Maratha activist, who has been regularly issuing threats.
Mr. Bhujbal referred to various incidents in Jalna, Beed and Nanded districts where even police personnel were attacked by the activists allegedly provoked by Mr, Jaranage. “What kind of language he is speaking. He is threatening the government and blocking entry of politicians to villages, that too selectively. I do not understand what is happening,” he said.
Mr. Bhujbal reiterated the demand to immediately stop the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas as it would lead to gross injustice to other communities covered under the OBC category.
“I have said again and again, we are not against reservations to the Marathas but we would not allow the OBC reservation to be diluted,” he said.
The NCP minister also demanded a caste-based census in the state. He said, “Everyone is assuring that there would be a caste census. Go ahead and do it, the truth and reality would surface.”
