Maratha quota: DCM Eknath Shinde vows justice without harming OBC rights
Synopsis
Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde drew a firm line on Tuesday: justice for the Maratha community, but not at the cost of OBC rights. With 5,300 job appointments stalled in court and Ganeshotsav around the corner, the government is under pressure to balance legal constraints with a politically charged agitation — and Shinde's appeal to protesters to 'move forward together' signals the tightrope hasn't gotten easier.
Key Takeaways
Maharashtra DCM Eknath Shinde on 15 September 2026 reaffirmed that Maratha quota demands will be addressed without affecting OBC or other communities.
Dialogue with Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil is ongoing, involving the Chief Minister, ministers, and district-level officials.
A 10% Maratha reservation was granted through a special legislative session; students are reportedly already benefiting.
Appointments of 5,300 candidates remain stalled due to judicial stays; Shinde said he is willing to face personal consequences to secure their employment.
The Justice Shinde Committee has been set up to issue Kunbi-record certificates, reportedly benefiting lakhs of citizens.
Shinde urged protest organisers not to disrupt Ganeshotsav celebrations and reiterated the government's positive stance on the Uniform Civil Code .
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, reaffirmed the state government's commitment to addressing the legitimate demands of the Maratha community, stressing that any relief granted to them would not come at the expense of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) or any other community. Shinde made the remarks while addressing reporters in Mumbai, amid ongoing negotiations over the contentious Maratha reservation issue.
Government's Stance on Maratha Quota
Shinde noted that Chief Minister, cabinet ministers, district collectors, police superintendents, and official representatives are engaged in continuous dialogue with Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil. He affirmed that the government remains fully prepared for talks to resolve the matter within the legal and constitutional framework, while acknowledging that certain aspects of the case remain sub judice.
Recounting the reservation history, Shinde recalled that the decision to extend reservation to the Maratha community was first taken in 2014 under then-Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, subsequently upheld at 12% in education and 13% in jobs through the judicial process. However, the reservation could not be sustained following a change in government. Upon returning to power, the current dispensation honoured a pledge — sworn in the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj — by convening a special legislative session to grant a 10% reservation to the Maratha community, which students and youth are reportedly benefiting from today.
Stalled Appointments and Supporting Measures
Shinde also addressed the case of 5,300 candidates whose appointments were stalled due to judicial stays, stating he was personally prepared to face any action if it guaranteed employment to affected youth.
He outlined a series of supporting measures implemented by the state, including increasing the loan limit of the Annasaheb Patil Economic Development Corporation, constructing hostels, providing scholarships for overseas education, and setting up the Justice Shinde Committee to issue certificates to individuals with verified Kunbi records. According to Shinde, these initiatives have already benefited lakhs of citizens.
Appeal to Protesters and Ganeshotsav Concerns
'The government has done everything possible within legal and constitutional parameters for the Maratha community. With certain matters pending in court, if the government moves four steps forward, protesters should also adopt a positive stance,' Shinde said. He cautioned against what he described as political opportunism driving the agitation and emphasised the need to prioritise education and employment of underprivileged youth.
Recalling previous orderly demonstrations by the Maratha community, Shinde appealed to organisers to ensure that the upcoming Ganeshotsav celebrations are not disrupted. He noted that lakhs of devotees visit Mumbai from across India and abroad every year, urging all parties to respect public convenience. The government and police machinery, he assured, are taking all necessary precautions.
Government's Position on Uniform Civil Code
On the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Shinde reiterated the Mahayuti government's alignment with Balasaheb Thackeray's vision of 'One Nation, One Law, and Equal Justice for All.' Citing recent remarks by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he confirmed that the Maharashtra government holds a positive outlook on the UCC and will make a decisive move at an appropriate time.
Point of View
Which is equally electorally vital for the Mahayuti coalition. The invocation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the personal pledge on the 5,300 stalled appointments are high-stakes political gestures that raise accountability stakes if the courts don't cooperate. Notably, the government's appeal for calm ahead of Ganeshotsav suggests an awareness that a festive-season agitation could amplify pressure dramatically. The UCC mention, tethered to Amit Shah's recent remarks, also signals that the Mahayuti is threading multiple ideological needles simultaneously — and that threading is getting harder with each court setback.
NationPress
16 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of Maratha reservation in Maharashtra?
The Maharashtra government has granted a 10% reservation to the Maratha community through a special legislative session. However, the matter remains sub judice, and appointments of 5,300 candidates have been stalled due to judicial stays.
Who is Manoj Jarange-Patil and what is his role in the Maratha quota agitation?
Manoj Jarange-Patil is a prominent Maratha quota activist who has led a sustained agitation demanding reservation rights for the community. The Maharashtra government, including the Chief Minister and DCM Eknath Shinde, is in ongoing dialogue with him to resolve the issue within legal boundaries.
Will Maratha reservation affect OBC quotas in Maharashtra?
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde has explicitly stated that justice for the Maratha community will not come at the expense of OBC or any other community. The government says it is working within constitutional and legal parameters to ensure no existing community's rights are undermined.
What is the Justice Shinde Committee set up for?
The Justice Shinde Committee was established to issue certificates to individuals with verified Kunbi records, a process that can establish Maratha sub-caste eligibility for existing OBC reservation. It has reportedly already benefited lakhs of citizens.
What did DCM Shinde say about the Uniform Civil Code?
Shinde reiterated the Mahayuti government's support for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), aligning it with Balasaheb Thackeray's vision of 'One Nation, One Law, and Equal Justice for All.' He cited Union Home Minister Amit Shah's recent remarks and said the government will act on the UCC at an appropriate time.
