Maharashtra legislature passes bill to extend Maratha reservation beyond 50 percent

Maratha Reservation: In a landmark move, the Maharashtra government approved a bill on Tuesday to extend reservation to the Maratha community, surpassing the 50 percent cap, during a special session of the state legislature on Tuesday.

The bill, granting a 10 percent quota to Marathas is similar to the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Act of 2018, previously introduced by the Mahayuti government under Eknath Shinde's leadership.

🕚11.04am | 20-2-2024 📍 Vidhan Bhavan, Mumbai | स. ११.०४ वा. | २०-२-२०२४ 📍 विधान भवन, मुंबई.

मा. राज्यपाल महोदयांचे अभिभाषण@maha_governor#Maharashtra #Mumbai #MarathaReservation #SpecialAdhiveshan #VidhanBhavan pic.twitter.com/n9a3NblpGp

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) February 20, 2024

This is the third instance in a decade that the state has introduced legislation addressing the Maratha quota. The special session was prompted by the ongoing hunger strike of Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil in Antarwali Saarati village, Jalna district.

Special session after MBCC reports

The decision to convene a special session was a response to Patil's protest and follows the submission of a report by the Maharashtra Backward Class Commission (MBCC), chaired by retired Justice Sunil Shukre.

The Marathas already benefiting significantly from the existing 10 percent reservation in the state for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), claiming 85 percent of the allocation. The commission's report highlighted the pressing need for further affirmative action.

#WATCH | Celebrations outside the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in Mumbai after the Maratha reservation bill was unanimously passed after tabling in special Assembly session pic.twitter.com/eWRVc8yjMt

— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2024

The Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission, formed under the Devendra Fadnavis government in June 2017 and led by retired Justice MG Gaikwad, conducted an extensive survey within a mere nine days, assessing the social, financial, and educational status of the Maratha community.

#WATCH | Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis arrives at the State Assembly.

Maharashtra government will hold a special Vidhan Sabha session today to discuss the Maratha reservation issue. pic.twitter.com/Z617FJTMfu

— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2024

Submitting its findings in November 2018, the commission classified Marathas as a socially and educationally backward class (SEBC), laying the groundwork for the recent legislative action.

In anticipation of the bill's passage, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reiterated the government's commitment to uphold the law and ensure equitable reservation for the Maratha community.