Should Jarange AK-47 be Given to Eliminate OBC in One Go?
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Synopsis
In a fiery address, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar has called for drastic measures against Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil, suggesting he be given an AK-47 to eliminate the OBC category. Tensions rise as the OBC community fears for their reservations amid ongoing government actions.
Key Takeaways
- Vijay Wadettiwar criticized Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil for his rhetoric.
- OBC groups fear dilution of their reservations.
- The government issued a resolution for Kunbi certificates.
- A protest march is planned for October 10 in Nagpur.
- Wadettiwar demands cancellation of the September 2 order.
Mumbai, Oct 5 (NationPress) The leader of the Congress Legislature Party, Vijay Wadettiwar, criticized Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Sunday, claiming that the activist seems determined to “eliminate” the OBC category from the state. He controversially suggested that Patil should be given an AK-47 to accomplish this task swiftly.
This statement arises amid escalating tensions regarding the state government's directive to issue Kunbi certificates to Marathas, with OBC groups expressing concerns that this could enable Marathas to claim reservations under the OBC category.
Last month, Jarange staged a hunger strike at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, after which the government agreed to fulfill six of his eight demands. The OBC community has since raised alarm that the September 2 government resolution (GR) on Kunbi certificates may allow Marathas to be integrated into OBC lists, undermining existing quotas.
OBC leaders, including Wadettiwar, met with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday (October 4) and submitted a memorandum demanding the cancellation of the September 2 order. They also announced plans for an OBC protest march in Nagpur on October 10 to advocate for their demands.
In a statement to reporters, Wadettiwar, a proponent of OBC rights, remarked that the objective of the meeting was to annul the GR.
“The meeting convened by the Chief Minister was aimed at dismissing the GR from September 2. We presented our position, emphasizing that this GR threatens all 374 OBC categories, potentially causing significant losses... There was unanimous agreement that the GR from September 2 should be revoked, although the government attempted to reassure us that there would be no adverse effects,” he stated.
Wadettiwar cautioned that the provisions regarding certificates and the data being collected indicate an intention to incorporate Marathas within the OBC lists.
“The government's decision clearly suggests that Marathas will be classified under OBC, leaving no one excluded, which would lead to substantial detriment for the OBC community,” he cautioned.
“This will not be apparent anywhere in local bodies, jobs, or education. The Maratha community will dominate all sectors, and the marginalized groups will face devastation,” the Congress leader added.
Turning personal, Wadettiwar specifically criticized Jarange Patil for his aggressive rhetoric.
“What kind of policy is this that harms the entire OBC? What does Jarange wish to achieve? He aims to eradicate over 350 castes; give him an AK-47 and instruct him to eliminate everyone. He advocates for the destruction of those opposing the GR; what sort of statements are these? Such language warrants arrest,” Wadettiwar remarked.
The Congress leader clarified that his opposition is not against the reservation for the underprivileged but rather against Marathas being included within the OBC quota.
“If this occurs, the OBC will be obliterated. Where will we stand? Job opportunities will vanish,” he expressed.
“Therefore, we demand the cancellation of the GR from September 2 and the annulment of all fraudulent certificates issued. Additionally, a white paper should be released on all Kunbi certificates issued since 2015 that have categorized the Maratha community as 'OBC'. This is our demand,” he further stated.
The government's previous discussions with Jarange-Patil resulted in several concessions after discussions by a cabinet sub-committee led by Vikhe-Patil.
The state agreed to implement the Hyderabad (1909) and Satara (1884) gazette entries to facilitate Kunbi certificates for Marathas within the OBC category, withdraw cases against Maratha activists from 2023-24, compensate families of Marathas who died during protests, and provide jobs to eligible relatives in state transport and MIDC.
Additionally, the government consented to issue a GR detailing the procedures for issuing caste certificates based on approximately 58 lakh Kunbi records identified by authorities; establish village-level scrutiny committees to assess applications before Kunbi certificates are issued; and guarantee prompt clearance of certificates by the caste verification committee.
Point of View
We remain committed to covering the evolving situation with respect to the OBC community's concerns and the implications of government actions. We aim to provide a balanced perspective that highlights the diverse viewpoints surrounding the Maratha quota issue while ensuring that the voices of the affected communities are heard.
NationPress
05/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Vijay Wadettiwar say about Manoj Jarange Patil?
Vijay Wadettiwar criticized Manoj Jarange Patil, suggesting he should be given an AK-47 to eliminate the OBC category, reflecting his concerns about the implications of the Maratha quota.
Why are OBC groups concerned?
OBC groups fear that the government's order to issue Kunbi certificates to Marathas could allow them to claim reservations under the OBC category, potentially diluting existing quotas.
What actions did the OBC leaders take?
OBC leaders, including Wadettiwar, met with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to demand the withdrawal of the September 2 order and announced plans for a protest march in Nagpur.
What was the outcome of the hunger strike by Jarange?
After Jarange's hunger strike, the government agreed to fulfill six of his eight demands, raising concerns among the OBC community regarding the implications of the September 2 resolution.
What is Wadettiwar's stance on Maratha reservations?
Wadettiwar is not against reservations for the poor but opposes Marathas being included within the OBC quota, fearing it would significantly harm the OBC community.
