In a recent development concerning the ongoing Maratha-vs-OBC reservation issue, a representative body of the OBC community has taken legal action by filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court. The challenge is directed towards the Republic Day decision made by the Maharashtra government, which expanded the eligibility criteria for Marathas to obtain Kunbi caste certificates and access reservations in both employment and education. Mangesh Sasane, Chairman of the OBC Welfare Foundation, filed the PIL, contesting multiple government decisions related to Maratha reservations spanning the period from 2004 to 2024.
The PIL is likely to come up for a hearing on February 6, presided over by a bench led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya at the Bombay HC. Manoj Jarange-Patil, in favour of reservations for Muslims and Dhangars, is expected to present arguments in support of their cause during the proceedings.
“Earlier, the process of granting Kunbi certificates to Marathas was difficult but with every agitation, the process was made easier. This was just to facilitate the Marathas for getting reservation,” the petitioner’s advocate Ashish Mishra said.
According to Ashish Mishra, the advocate representing the petitioner, stated, “Earlier, the process of granting Kunbi certificates to Marathas was difficult but with every agitation, the process was made easier. This was just to facilitate the Marathas for getting reservation.”
The PIL highlighted that the Supreme Court has rejected the Maharashtra government’s decision to provide reservations to the Marathas as it breaches the cap set by the apex court.
Mishra claimed, “By allowing Marathas to obtain Kunbi certificates and avail reservation benefits, the government is providing them a backdoor entry.” Out of the state’s total 52% reservation, SCs and STs hold 13% and 7%, respectively. OBCs have 19%, while VJNT, Special Backward Class, and Nomadic Tribes account for 13%.