Why Did the Maratha Community File a Caveat Against the Reservation Decision?

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Sep 6 (NationPress) The Rashtriya Chhava Sanghatan (RCS), which represents the Maratha community, has lodged a caveat in the Supreme Court, Bombay High Court, and the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar bench of the Bombay High Court. This legal action requests that they be consulted before any decision is made regarding a petition filed by OBC organizations or their leaders against the Maharashtra government's resolution. This resolution pertains to the implementation of the Hyderabad Gazette, aimed at extending reservation benefits to Marathas within the OBC quota.

Sanghatan President Gangadhar Kalkute Patil stated, “I have submitted a caveat concerning the Hyderabad Gazette on behalf of the Maratha community, asking that the government resolution related to it should not be stayed or revoked without considering the Maratha community's perspective. I will also meet with pro-Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil to provide all necessary documents.”

Kalkute Patil emphasized that the primary request in the caveat is to ensure that the court does not issue a unilateral stay on the petition challenging the government resolution made by OBC organizations.

“It is essential that the Maratha community's viewpoint is heard. With the caveat filed, the court will first consider the Maratha community's stance before reaching a decision. This ensures that the reservation cannot be halted without acknowledging the Maratha community's position,” he added. He further mentioned that this legal measure mitigates the risk of suspension or cancellation of reservation benefits for the Maratha community under the OBC quota following the implementation of the Hyderabad Gazette. It allows the Maratha community to address their concerns and strengthen their legal position.

“The filing of this caveat is intended to provide both psychological and legal assurance. It instills confidence in the Maratha community that there will be no abrupt decisions against their reservation rights, fostering stability in the ongoing movement advocating for the Maratha community's reservations,” he noted.

This strategic move by the Sanghatan is particularly significant as veteran OBC leader and NCP minister Chhagan Bhujbal, along with various OBC organizations, have threatened to approach the Supreme Court and High Court against the government resolution, claiming it undermines the interests of OBCs.

Minister Bhujbal contended that issuing Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas to access OBC benefits is unconstitutional and jeopardizes the reservation shares of 374 existing OBC communities. He argued that caste cannot be altered through administrative means, reiterating that allowing Marathas to claim Kunbi status en masse could dilute OBC quotas, especially since affidavits from relatives or villagers are accepted as proof without necessary validation.