Maharashtra Assembly Special Session to Address Maratha Reservation Issue Amidst Controversy

The upcoming special session of the Maharashtra Assembly will primarily focus on discussing the Maratha reservation issue. This session was prompted by the ongoing hunger strike of Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil. The Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission recently submitted a report detailing the social, economic, and educational backwardness of the Maratha community, which will be presented during this session.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has emphasized that the government is committed to providing reservations to the Maratha community within the legal framework. He mentioned that the survey conducted by the commission covered a significant portion of the population, approximately 2-2.5 crore people. Shinde also assured that the existing quotas for other communities, particularly the OBCs, will not be disturbed.

However, there is criticism from some quarters, such as Maratha Kranti Morcha coordinator Sanjay Lakhe Patil, who questioned the timing of the special session given the pending curative petition in the Supreme Court regarding Maratha reservations. Lakhe Patil expressed skepticism about the government's approach, especially regarding the survey conducted by the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission. He argued that the state's attempt to enact a law for quotas may contradict the Supreme Court's previous rulings.

In summary, while the Maharashtra government is moving forward with plans to address the Maratha reservation issue through legislative means, there are concerns and criticisms from certain groups regarding the legality and timing of these actions, particularly in light of the ongoing legal proceedings in the Supreme Court.