Maratha Reservation: 'Aware of their pain and sorrow' Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde pledges to provide quota

While speaking on the Maratha quota issue, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday said that he understands the pain and sorrow of the Maratha community.

As reported by PTI, speaking to a large crowd during the Shiv Sena's Dussehra rally at Azad Maidan, Shinde, said, “I am aware of their pain and sorrow. The Justice Shinde (retd) committee is working 24 hours and a curative petition has been filed in the Supreme Court (which had struck down the Maratha quota) and it has been admitted. Hence a window has been opened.”

During his speech, Shinde paused and paid his respects to the bust of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the stage, pledging to provide reservations for the Maratha community.

Also Read: Maharashtra: Don’t take extreme steps, govt committed to give reservations to Marathas, says Eknath Shinde

“Without doing injustice to anyone and without withdrawing (reservation of anyone), this government will provide a quota to the Maratha community that will last permanently,” Shinde said.

Encouraging young individuals not to resort to drastic measures such as suicide over reservation issues, Shinde urged them to consider their families and children's well-being before making any extreme decisions.

On October 19, the body of Maratha quota activist Sunil Kawale was found hanging from a lamp post along a flyover in Mumbai's Bandra area. He had left behind a suicide note seeking quota for the community.

The Maratha reservation matter gained prominence in Maharashtra politics when, during his hunger strike protest in September, supporters of Jarange were reportedly subjected to a police baton charge at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district.

Also Read: Maratha reservation | Explainer

Earlier on Sunday, the chief minister said that a committee under retired judge Sandeep Shinde is studying old records in Marathwada as part of the move to give Kunbi OBC certificates to members of the Maratha community.

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the state government is committed to granting reservations to the Maratha community.

It's worth noting that the state government has published an advertisement in major newspapers outlining a range of initiatives that are in place for the Maratha community. The advertisement also highlights the advantages provided to the Maratha community concerning employment and educational admissions through the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) reservation.

(With inputs from PTI)