In what is seen as an attempt to form a larger social coalition of Brahmins and other backwards, demands are being made by other backward classes (OBC) leaders to extend quota benefits to the Brahmin community.
This comes in the backdrop of the Congress-NCP led state government extending reservation benefits to Marathas (16%) and Muslims (5%). OBCs, who compete with Marathas socially and politically, have resented the move.
"Brahmins must also get reservations," demanded Rashtriya Samaj Paksha (RSP) chief and dhangar (shepherd) community leader Mahadeo Jankar.
"They must get reservations on economic grounds. There are many Brahmins who are not economically well-off. We will launch a fierce agitation for this demand," said Jankar, who has clashed with the hardline Maratha outfit Sambhaji Brigade in the past.
Brahmins are at the apex of the Hindu caste pyramid. Maharashtra was the cradle of the social reform movement with Mahatma Jotiba Phule, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Vitthal Ramji Shinde, Chatrapati Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj and Prabhodhankar Keshav Sitaram Thackeray forming the backbone of the non-Brahmin movement.
Brahmin leaders claim that their community accounts for an estimated 8-10% of Maharashtra's population across linguistic divisions and sects.
"Maharashtra has a legacy of Brahmins vs non-Brahmin tussles. However, considering the stranglehold of Marathas on politics, a social realignment on Maratha vs non-Maratha grounds is inevitable," reasoned a veteran OBC activist.
OBCs are seen as loyal footsoldiers of Hindutva. Though the Shiv Sena opposes caste-based reservations and instead moots a system based on economic criteria, the bulk of the party's following consists of OBCs.
"Why do Marathas need reservations? They resent the rise of OBCs and are seeking to counter it," pointed out writer- activist Sanjay Sonawani, adding that a social coalition between OBCs and Brahmins was inevitable.
"Reservations are not a garibi hatao program. Still, if Marathas can be granted quotas on economic grounds, then why should Brahmins be deprived?" he questioned, adding that however, perceptions of caste superiority and hubris had to be discarded by upper castes.
"Since 2008, we have been seeking reservations on economic grounds and not on the basis of caste. Those who are not well-off financially must get quotas in education and jobs,"said Anil Gachke of the Akhil Bharatiya Brahmin Mahasangh.
Jankar, a Shiv Sena and BJP ally, who lost to NCP chief Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule from Baramati in the Lok Sabha polls, is also demanding that his Dhangar community be added in the scheduled tribes (ST) category, which is opposed by tribal politicians across party lines. Dhangars, who fall in the NT-C category with 3.5% quotas, form about 18% of Maharashtra's population, next only to Maratha- Kunbis (16%).
Jankar said they are being denied ST benefits due to a spelling mistake that calls their community as 'Dhangads' instead of 'Dhangars.' Moreover, states like Jharkhand, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have classified the Dhangars as STs, he added.
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