The Maratha reservation issue has heated up again with the Maratha community leaders demanding reservation for Farmers, Education and Employment. The Maratha community took out a rally on the first day of the Winter Session.
In an exclusive interview with Nagpur Today, Raje Mudhoji Bhonsle who represents the Maratha Community said that last time, the decision on the contentious issue was stalled before the assembly elections. He claimed that Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, a descendent of Chhatrapati Shivaji who is leading Maratha Aarakshan Mahamorcha (MAM), an umbrella group of 23 organizations demanding reservation, has issued an ultimatum to the State Government.
Raje Mudhoji claimed that the community forms about 35-40 % of the total state population. Earlier in 1931, the status and the possessions of the Maratha community are not there anymore. They then had large lands in possessions and had many labourers too. However, after independence Government had taken over possession of lands under the Land Ceiling Act. They do not even have the Malgujaris (Labourers) who used to work on their lands. So keeping in tune with the times, the Government should grant reservation for them especially for Agricultural Farmers, in Education and in Employment. Raje Mudhoji however claimed that we not want any political reservations. We are demanding only our right.
Apart from Raje Mudhoji Bhonsle, General Secretary of Maratha Sangh Narendra Mohan, Executive President Devidas Kirpane, Vice President Shirish Raja Shirke, President of Sambhaji Brigade Manoj Akhrey, Executive President Sudhanshu Mohan, Executive President Sudhir Deshmukh, General Secretary of Maratha Pariwar Sewa Sangh Madhukarao Mehkare and President of Maratha Pariwar Sewa Sangh Manohar Pawar were leading the morcha (rally) to demand the reservation.
Government committed to give reservation to Maratha Community: Vinod Tawde
The Maharashtra Government is committed to give reservation to the Maratha Community. The Bombay High Court had stayed the decision of reservation to the Maratha Community. However, the state has filed a special appeal in the Supreme Court to lift the interim stay on the reservation. The State Government had presented its case vehemently in favour of the reservation to the Maratha Community, claimed Education Minister Vinod Tawde.
Tawde assured a delegation of the Maratha Community Leaders that the State has appointed prominent lawyers to fight their cause in the Supreme Court.
