Editorial by Rahi Bhide

Though Manoj Jarange ended his fast for Maratha reservation, the pressing questions still linger: What exactly did the Maratha community gain from this agitation? And how will the government’s ordinance affect the OBC community? On one hand, some claim the ordinance offers the Marathas nothing substantial. On the other, some in the OBC community view it as a threat to their own reservation rights. As a result, both communities have decided to challenge the ordinance in the High Court, revealing a deep sense of unease.

Jarange Patil launched his fast demanding eight key points, including blanket reservation for the Maratha community and withdrawal of cases against protestors. The government accepted six of these, leading to the suspension of the fast. There was celebration among Marathas; however, just like during the earlier Khargar protest, the government responded with an ordinance essentially identical to the previous one. While Jarange and his supporters expressed satisfaction, many legal experts have opined that the ordinance offers nothing concrete in terms of actual benefit.

Notably, even as the government assured withdrawal of criminal cases, police registered fresh cases against protestors returning from the rally. This contradiction has cast doubt on the government’s intent. Earlier, Eknath Shinde had taken the lead in addressing such protests; this time, Devendra Fadnavis relied on Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who consulted with legal experts and mediated between Jarange and the state. Eventually, both sides took a step back, possibly pressured by the looming threat of judicial scrutiny, to bring the protest to a close.

Still, the real question remains: What did the Maratha community truly gain? Many argue that the government conceded only administrative adjustments like extending deadlines for genealogy verification and implementing the Hyderabad Gazette. These steps, though significant on paper, raise the question of why the government waited until protests reached Mumbai before acting.

Jarange’s indefinite fast at Azad Maidan pushed the government to enforce the Hyderabad Gazette and permit the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to certain Marathas. However, this move has sparked confusion within the Maratha community what exactly does it mean for them? Meanwhile, among OBCs, there's growing concern that this could dilute their own reservation share. Jarange warned the government not to deceive the Marathas again, but leaders like Vinod Patil and others claim deception has already occurred. Yet, Jarange remains optimistic, asserting that the GR (Government Resolution) will ultimately benefit the Marathas.

This optimism is not shared by all. OBC leaders in the state burned copies of the resolution in protest. Chhagan Bhujbal, despite being part of the cabinet, vocally opposed the ordinance and is preparing to challenge it in court. He even boycotted a cabinet meeting in protest. Nevertheless, he has urged the OBC community to maintain restraint and pursue legal avenues instead of public agitation. While Fadnavis emphasized that only individuals with documented ancestral records would receive Kunbi certificates, Chandrashekhar Bawankule chairman of the OBC subcommittee publicly contradicted him, stating that the Hyderabad Gazette is effectively useless in proving Kunbi lineage. These conflicting statements have only fueled confusion within the Maratha community.

Adding to the tension, Prof. Laxman Hake launched an “OBC Reservation Protection Yatra,” while Babanrao Taywade, president of the OBC Mahasangh, undertook a hunger strike, asserting that the ordinance poses no threat to OBC rights. However, contradictory opinions within both Maratha and OBC groups indicate that a climate of uncertainty prevails across communities.

To ensure that the government doesn’t appear biased toward the Marathas, a cabinet subcommittee under Bawankule was formed to address OBC concerns. It includes ministers from all major ruling alliance parties. Still, internal disagreements persist. While Pankaja Munde claims the Hyderabad Gazette does not undermine OBC rights, Bhujbal maintains a contradictory stance.

The GR itself includes a clause that permits individuals without land ownership proof to submit affidavits affirming local residency. These affidavits, if supported by Kunbi-certified relatives, can lead to certificate issuance. OBC leaders are particularly alarmed by this clause, fearing that Marathas could infiltrate the OBC quota using such provisions.

Now, even among Maratha reservation advocates, there's growing skepticism. Many believe the GR offers little more than symbolic assurance, a situation summed up by former Justice B.G. Kolse Patil’s harsh remark: "It’s like digging a mountain and finding a mouse." He criticized the state for offering vague policies and wiping the Maratha community’s face with empty promises.

Under current rules, any claim to reservation must be backed by documentary evidence dated prior to 1967. The GR does mention requirements for landless or farm laborer Marathas, but it also requires in-depth verification through field officers like revenue officials. Only those who already have genealogical records or family references from the Hyderabad Gazette will benefit. What about those whose families have no such documentation? What is their future?

Ultimately, the editorial underscores a painful irony: despite dramatic protests, fasting, negotiations, and apparent breakthroughs, the tangible gains for the Maratha community remain ambiguous, while fears among the OBCs grow. Once again, the state finds itself entangled in the complexities of reservation politics with more questions than answers, and more confusion than clarity.

So, in the end — what was truly gained?
A pertinent question that continues to echo across Maharashtra.

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By Rahi Bhide

The Maharashtra government is now facing the consequences of how burdensome the promise of reservation can be. The storm led by Manoj Jarange has hit Mumbai, triggering political chaos. Leaders like Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar are in power, and earlier promises to grant reservation to the Maratha community are now under pressure. If the government provides reservation following the community’s aggressive stance, it risks alienating OBC votes. Jarange insists that the Maratha and OBC categories are one and the same, prompting the government to explore ways to resolve this impasse.

Manoj Jarange Patil, the face of the Maratha reservation movement, began an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan, Mumbai, on Friday. He warned that he would not back down until the government meets the community’s demands. His ultimatum — “Either give reservation or shoot me or let me die on the hunger strike” — is becoming a major challenge for the Mahayuti government led by Fadnavis. Jarange demands that all Marathas be issued Kunbi certificates under the OBC category.

After the Maratha community took to the streets under Jarange’s leadership, the OBC community also began demonstrations, fearing the division of their quota. There’s a perception that OBCs are being supported by Fadnavis, fueling tensions. Jarange and other agitators are now targeting him, while Fadnavis insists that his cabinet’s subcommittee is working on a constitutional solution.

Jarange has led this movement for years and calls this his “last battle,” vowing not to step back until Marathas are included under the OBC quota. Aggressive remarks by leaders like Adv. Gunaratna Sadavarte, Prof. Lakshman Hake, and Gopichand Padalkar have further inflamed sentiments, complicating the situation. The government’s image is at stake as such rhetoric escalates conflicts.

Jarange’s demand for all Marathas to be issued OBC certificates cannot be ignored — nearly 5.4 million people have already received Kunbi certificates due to his movement. The committee led by Justice Sandeep Shinde reviewed historical records, including the Hyderabad Gazette, and verified community ties like intermarriage to support these claims.

Currently, OBCs constitute 52% of the population with a 27% quota. If 30–35% of Marathas are added, it could leave 85% of the population fighting for the same quota, intensifying opposition. This has led to a growing divide between the Maratha and OBC communities.

Interestingly, the Muslim community has also demanded reservation for Marathas, recalling recommendations like the Rane Committee’s proposal for a 5% quota, which was never implemented. Similarly, Fadnavis had promised inclusion of the Dhangar community among tribals but failed to deliver even after two terms.

With various communities unsettled, the government faces a daunting challenge in navigating social and political complexities. The Maratha community, making up nearly 33% of Maharashtra’s population and facing socio-economic disadvantages, seeks fair representation in jobs and education.

The movement under Jarange has presented multiple hurdles for the government. Besides anger stemming from past incidents like the Kopardi rape-murder case, opposition from the OBC community and support from rival parties like Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar), and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) is putting additional pressure on the ruling alliance.

The Maharashtra government’s handling of the Maratha reservation demand could shape its political future, as resolving this sensitive issue requires careful negotiation and consensus-building.

Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra have become interesting due to the breakup of political parties, change of leaders and formation of new alliances. Former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan also left Congress at the last moment and joined BJP. Ashok Chavan, son of former Chief Minister Shankarrao Chavan, is a Rajya Sabha member of the BJP. The Chavan family has dominated many districts of Marathwada including Nanded for decades. Amidst the election busyness, Chavan expressed his opinion on many issues during his conversation with Shrikant Tilak.

Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra have become interesting due to the breakup of political parties, change of leaders and formation of new alliances. Former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan also left Congress at the last moment and joined BJP. Ashok Chavan, son of former Chief Minister Shankarrao Chavan, is a Rajya Sabha member of the BJP. The Chavan family has dominated many districts of Marathwada including Nanded for decades. Amidst the election busyness, Chavan expressed his opinion on many issues during his conversation with Shrikant Tilak.

Question: What would you like to say about Rahul Gandhi?
Answer: The person whom Rahul Gandhi has made (Nana Patole) the chief of Maharashtra Congress does not have leadership ability. He could not save Congress's traditional seats like Sangli and Bhiwandi. Out of 48 seats in Maharashtra, Congress has got only 17 seats. From this it can be estimated how weak the leadership of the state Congress is.

Question: There is anger against the government regarding Maratha reservation. How much impact will it have in the elections?
Answer: The effect of Maratha reservation is in 8 districts. If we can explain this issue properly to the people, then there will be no problem because this is a social issue and not a political one. Those whose records of being Kunbi Maratha have been found have been given OBC certificates, along with 10 percent reservation has been given to the socially and educationally backward Maratha community. As far as reservation for blood relatives is concerned. There have been objections to this. This matter will also be resolved after June 4.

Question: What is the atmosphere in Nanded? What is the impact of your joining BJP?
Answer: There is no problem in Nanded. The people here are going to love me. He has only one sentence, where you are there we are. All BJP workers are happy with my arrival. A large number of people are joining BJP. We are confident that Nanded seat will also be included in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's figure of crossing 400.

Question: Can Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar get public sympathy in the elections?
Answer: Look! Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena and Sharad Pawar's NCP have split. Lok Sabha elections is the first test for both of them. Efforts are being made to get sympathy from both sides. Now only the election results will tell how much sympathy the public has for these two.

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Karad / Representative : Although everyone is of the opinion that the demands regarding reservation of both Maratha and Dhangar communities are right, this issue has been stuck in the vicious cycle of the process for the last 12 years. According to legal experts, the central government's role in the process of reservation is very important, but the central government is silent in all these processes. Therefore, MP of Satara Lok Sabha Constituency Srinivas Patil strongly demanded that the demands of Maratha and Dhangar community should be resolved immediately by changing the law if time permits.

The winter session of Parliament has started from Monday 4th December and on the very first day of the session, Srinivas Patil's cannon exploded in Lok Sabha over the reservation of Maratha and Dhangar community. Currently, the issue of Maratha and Dhangar reservation is on the table in Maharashtra and the social atmosphere has been disturbed in the background of the agitation. Drawing the attention of the House to this, Srinivas Patil raised the issue of reservation in the Lok Sabha.

On this occasion, Srinivas Patil said, Maharashtra is a land of social equality, brotherhood and reformism since historical times. The demands of both these communities regarding reservation are right and everyone in Maharashtra has a positive opinion about it. Maratha community and Dhangar community have been agitating for reservation for last 10 to 12 years. During this period, Maharashtra has seen the change of four state governments. Every time protesting society and opposition parties put pressure on the rulers. The ruling party sets up a committee or commission. As the case progresses, the reservation is announced in the last month of that government's tenure. It is later rejected in court on some legal point. Meanwhile, the government changes and the former rulers blame the next rulers. Maharashtra is witnessing this vicious cycle for the last 12 years.

Even if 150 to 200 MPs or MLAs are elected from the Maratha community, it is wrong to deny the educational and economic backwardness of crores of poor Marathas. Also, there is a strong public sentiment in Maharashtra that it is wrong to ignore the demand of the Dhangar community due to the difference between the R and D of the words Dhangar and Dhangad.

Ignoring the issue of these two communities for a long period of time can be worrisome for the future of Maharashtra. Everyone is seeing that the atmosphere of instability, fear and mistrust is increasing in the minds of the common people due to the conflicting agitations, meetings, speeches and statements that are going on every day in Maharashtra. Such an environment in an important state like Maharashtra is a matter of great concern for the country and the central government.

Legal experts say that the central government's role is most important in the process of these reservations. But the central government is keeping silent on this issue. Central government should give top priority to this serious issue. Mr. Patil demanded that appropriate amendments should be made in the law if necessary and immediate steps should be taken to fulfill the demands of both the communities regarding reservation.

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