Maharashtra government justifies reservations for Marathas and Muslims in Bombay High Court

The Maharashtra government on Wednesday justified in the Bombay High Court its decision to provide reservations for Muslims and Marathas in jobs and educational institutions, saying that these communities are socially and economically backward.

The division bench headed by Chief Justice Mohit Shah is hearing a bunch of public interest litigation challenging the recent government notification announcing reservations.

"Maratha community was socially and economically backward and the decision to provide 16 per cent reservation for it was absolutely justified," said advocate general Darius Khambata.

The decision was based on the report of Narayan Rane committee, said Khambata.

Regarding Muslims, he said they too were socially and economically backward. While providing five per cent reservations to them, the government had taken into consideration recommendations of Rajinder Sachhar committee and Mahmoodur Rahman committee, both of which had sought reservations for the community, the advocate general said.

Khambata also clarified that those Muslims who are eligible for reservations under Other Backward Class category shall not get the benefit of reservations under the new quota.