Leaders from the other backward classes (OBC) on Tuesday met CM Fadnavis and expressed their apprehension on state government's move to provide 16 per cent reservation in jobs and education to Maratha community under the Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) category.
They fear that this will lead to encroachment on the existing 19 per cent quota given to 356 castes covered under OBCs. They also claimed that once Marathas get SEBC status they will be entitled to reservations benefits enjoyed by OBCs in politics. This will further lead to divisions in the benefits and quota that they enjoy currently.
OBC leaders including legislators Haribhau Rathod, Ramrao Wadkute, former legislator Prakash Shendge and Shravan Deore urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis not to act hastily in awarding reservation to Marathas.
Prof Shravan Deore informed DNA,'' The government at the outset should not give Marathas SEBC status to provide reservation in jobs and education. This will be an injustice to OBCs as Marathas will enjoy benefit currently enjoyed by OBC.'' Deore also observed that taking reservation beyond the 50 per cent cap (as ordered by the apex court) would fall foul of the courts.
Rathod said the government should introduce reservation to the Maratha community only after counting its population and also of OBC.
"The state government can provide quota to Maratha community as per the Article 16(4) of the Constitution if they are not adequately represented in the services under the state. Whether the Marathas have got appropriate representation, it will be known after holding the count of Marathas and also of OBCs,'' he noted.
Rathod's view with regard to the caste-based census was also shared by Deore.
Rathod argued that there was also a need for the Constitutional amendment to use OBC nomenclature as the extremely backward classes will come in the scope of Constitution.
OPPOSITION SPEAK
- The opposition leaders also claimed that once Marathas get SEBC status they will be entitled to reservations benefits enjoyed by OBCs in politics. This will further lead to divisions in the benefits and quota that they enjoy currently.
- OBC leaders including legislators Haribhau Rathod, Ramrao Wadkute, former legislator Prakash Shendge and Shravan Deore urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis not to act hastily in awarding reservation to Marathas.
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