Here's why Brahmins are demanding reservation in Maharashtra

Since the 2016, the state of Maharashtra is facing extreme level of quota politics. It all started with Maratha and Dhangar demanding reservation. Marathas staged more than 50 silent march across Mumbai and other neighboring regions. The whole of Maharashtra also witnessed violent protests. Recently, the government of Maharashtra passed the Maratha reservation bill in both the house of assembly. 

Reservation for Maratha has given a new hope to other communities as well. After Muslims, now Brahmins have demanded reservation for them. While speaking to Republic TV, Akhil Bhartiya Brahmin Sabha’s Pune wing head Anand Dave said:

"We welcome Maratha reservation but there is a misconception about our Brahmin community. People think that we Brahmins are well off but that’s not true at all. There are approximately 1 crore Brahmin population in the state. Out of this 1 crore, nearly 80 percent population is socially and economically backward". 

Adding that Mr Dave backward class commission should do the survey of our community, he said:

"We want backward class commission should do the survey of our community. So that everyone will come to know the real situation of the Brahmin community in the state. Very soon we will approach backward class commission". 

READ | Bill Proposing 16% Reservation For Maratha Community, Passed In Maharashtra Assembly

As the demands of reservation for Brahmin community is gaining momentum, Revenue Minister of the state Chandrakant Patil, who is also number 2 in Devendra Fadnavis' cabinet said:

"We respect everyone’s feeling. Those who think that their community is economically and socially backward, they should come to us and we will send their request to backward class commission. Maharashtra Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis belongs to Brahmin community". 

However, the quota politics has increased the tension in the state. Muslims, Dhangar and Brahmins are pushing hard to get reservations for their respective communities. The 2019 Lok Sabha elections are round the corner, amid this, the opposition is trying to make reservation as one of their main political weapon against the ruling party.

Interestingly, the state of Maharashtra has already crossed 50 percent reservation limitation. With 16 percent Maratha reservation, total percentage of reservation in Maharashtra has touched to 68%. On Monday, a PIL was filed in the Mumbai High Court against the Maratha reservation. Petitioner Gunratan Sadavarte has alleged that Maharashtra government has violated Supreme Court’s order and that the Maratha reservation is unconstitutional. Petitioner also claimed that he has been receiving death threats.     

READ | Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Announces SEBC Reservation For Maratha Community; Percentage Yet To Be Determined