The Maratha-Kunbi caste cluster is estimated at around 31.5 per cent of Maharashtra's population.
Indicating rising polarisation between the Marathas and the other backward classes, Kunbi community has flexed its muscles against the demand by the Marathas seeking quotas.
"Quotas for Marathas do not fit into any Constitutional or legal framework. We fear that since the government is under immense pressure, it may capitulate and include them in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. There is intense competition in the OBC category for reservation benefits already, adding such a huge section in it will make things worse for us," said Vishwanath Patil, who heads the Kunbi Sena, and is the general secretary of the Congress.
The Maratha-Kunbi caste cluster is estimated at around 31.5 per cent of Maharashtra's population. While Kunbis (tillers), who have significant numbers in Konkan and Vidarbha, are already covered under the OBC category, Marathas have organised protests, some of which have turned violent, seeking quotas in education and jobs.
"Marathas and Kunbis are not the same but are two distinct classes. The Maratha community dominates politics, whereas we are lagging behind. Marathas also don't inter-marry with Kunbis," Patil charged.
He added that the Kunbis, who are largely engaged in dry-land farming, were facing intense economic distress as evidenced by the rising suicides of farmers and protests by peasant groups.
Maratha leaders have claimed that Kunbis and Marathas are the same and hence like the Kunbis, should also be classified as other backwards and be included in the OBC category.
The Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission (MSBCC) is examining the claims of the Maratha community about backwardness and is expected to submit its report to the state government by October-end.
Patil demanded that like sub-quotas for communities like Vanjaris and Dhangars in the nomadic tribes category, Kunbis should get a similar quota within a quota in the OBC group. He also sought that the quantum of reservations for Kunbis be hiked to 45% in proportion with their population.
"We are trying to unify all OBC groups on the basis of a common minimum program," he said, adding division-wise meetings of the community would be held to decide on the future course of the protest.
Three backward class commissions, headed by Justices (Retired) R.M Bapat, B.P Saraf and S.N Khatri have rejected the demands for Marathas to be classified as backwards.
TIMELINE
1902 Rajarshi Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur provided reservations in employment in his princely state of Kolhapur for backward classes
1942 Bombay government declares 228 communities as intermediate and backward classes
1965 Maharashtra introduces 10% quota for OBCs and 4% for nomadic and denotified tribes
1955 Backward Classes Commission submitted its report and identified 2,399 backward communities
1980 B.P Mandal Commission submitted its report identifying 3,743 backward classes. It did not accept the claim of the Marathas
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Maratha Community")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}