Nothing but backdoor entry for Marathas

CHHAGAN BHUJBAL, Maharashtra minister for food, civil supplies and consumer protection, is known as a firebrand leader.

- BY DNYANESH JATHAR

Even at 77, his fighting spirit has not diminished—and that became evident when he called a meeting of OBC leaders after the state government announced that Marathas in the Marathwada region can be recognised as Kunbis (an OBC caste) on the basis of the Hyderabad Gazetteer as the primary historical document.

As it could help Marathas get reservation in jobs and education, the decision upset OBC communities, a core vote bank of the BJP. They feel betrayed, Bhujbal told THE WEEK in an exclusive interview.

Soon after the announcement, Bhujbal wrote to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, saying the government resolution (GR) on the matter was issued under pressure from the Maratha community, without it being tabled before the cabinet. Bhujbal demanded that the government decision be withdrawn.

According to Bhujbal, Marathas can be included both in the OBC quota as well as the SEBC (socially and educationally backward communities) quota, as per the 2024 SEBC Act that provides 10 per cent reservation to communities such as the Marathas.

"The GR also makes a departure from established procedure for caste verification and validity. Having two different procedures for the same class, that is the OBCs, amounts to arbitrary action and discrimination which has no connection to the common objective of verification and grant of caste certificate," he said. Edited excerpts from an interview.

You have written an eight-page letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, opposing the GR on Maratha reservation. Are you opposed to Maratha reservation?

I am not opposed to Maratha reservation; I am opposed to their entry into the OBC quota. The GR was issued hurriedly and under tremendous pressure. It was not discussed in the cabinet, as is needed. A GR requires cabinet nod. Nobody was consulted.