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 Shindes leadership.ЁЯХЪ11.04am | 20-2-2024 ЁЯУН Vidhan Bhavan, Mumbai | рд╕. резрез.режрек рд╡рд╛. | реиреж-реи-реирежреирек ЁЯУН рд╡рд┐рдзрд╛рди рднрд╡рди, рдореБрдВрдмрдИ.рдорд╛. рд░рд╛рдЬреНрдпрдкрд╛рд▓ рдорд╣реЛрджрдпрд╛рдВрдЪреЗ рдЕрднрд┐рднрд╛рд╖рдг@maha_governor#Maharashtra #Mumbai #MarathaReservation #SpecialAdhiveshan #VidhanBhavan pic.twitter.com/n9a3NblpGp— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) February 20, 2024This 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 reportsThe decision to convene a special session was a response to Patils 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 commissions 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, 2024The 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, 2024Submitting 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 bills passage, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reiterated the governments commitment to uphold the law and ensure equitable reservation for the Maratha community.
