DNA Exclusive: OBC groups to start awareness drive, not in rush to oppose Maratha reservation bill

Organisations representing the other backward classes (OBCs) in Maharashtra on Friday said they won't approach the court of law against the BJP led government's decision to provide 16% reservation to the politically influential Maratha community. Instead, they will from December 8 launch awareness campaign in all 36 districts to bring to the notice of OBCs about their Constitutional and Legal rights and exercise them in the ensuing Lok Sabha and state assembly elections slated for 2019.

OBC Caste Census Conference National Convenor Prof Shrawan Deore clarified that there is no plan to challenge the Act in the court. "However, the OBC organisations have apprehensions that if the court strikes 16% quota given under the Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) category to Marathas, then they may be provided reservation from the 19% quota available to OBCs. Therefore, the uncertainty still looms large,'' noted Deore.

The Satyashodhak OBC Federation founder Sachin Mali said that OBCs will be told how the successive governments have given differential treatment. Besides, we will also explore an option of extending support to a political party which can distribute 52% tickets to OBCs in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. The Most Backward Class Association President Haribhau Rathod demanded that the government will have to club the Maratha and Kunbi in 16% quota.