Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday, reaffirmed his government's dedication to granting reservations to the Maratha community, ensuring it doesn't impact existing quotas for other communities. Shinde stated that efforts were underway to swiftly conclude a survey demonstrating the social and educational backwardness of the Maratha community.
He made the statement as Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange, who along with his thousands of supporters, is marching towards Mumbai. Jarange plans to launch a protest at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai from Friday to press for the Maratha quota demand.
Shinde said he had already told Jarange that his government was determined to provide reservation to Marathas and it was extending all the benefits to them just like the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
"My government will give reservations which will pass the legal scrutiny. A total of 1.4 lakh people are participating in the survey that is currently underway. They are working in three shifts. So far, discussions with Jarange have been positive," he said.
"The government is committed to providing reservations to Marathas without affecting the quota of other communities," Shinde assured.
To a question on whether he has held an online meeting with Jarange, he said district-level authorities and divisional commissioners were in touch with the activist.
"Kunbi caste certificates are being given to those (Marathas) wherever records have been found," he said.
Jarange on Wednesday said 54 lakh records have been found in Maharashtra so far identifying members of the Maratha community as Kunbi and demanded immediate issuance of caste certificates.
Kunbis enjoy reservation in government jobs and admissions to educational institutes under the OBC category.
Urging Jarange and other members of the Maratha community not to launch protests, Shinde said, "Agitations are okay if the government is not responsive, but our government is responsive and hence they should not agitate."
Follow us
