Bill proposing 16% reservation for Maratha community, passed in Maharashtra Assembly

The Maharashtra assembly unanimously passed the bill proposed by the government, led by CM Devendra Fadnavis , that proposed 16% reservation for Marathas, citing them under the category- Socially and Educationally Backward'

At the State Assembly, the Chief Minister said that they have completed the required procedures for the Maratha reservation report and are introducing the bill on Thursday. 

However, Fadnavis added that they have not yet completed the report for Dhangar reservation and assured that a sub-committee that is already appointed will soon present an Action Taken Report (ATR) to the house. 

READ| Maratha Reservation: Opposition To Move Privilege Motion Against CM

In admiration to the BJP government's move, MLAs from the party arrived at the state assembly decked up in festive outfits, claiming credit for the bill. 

The Chief Minister of Maharashtra shared this decision on Twitter, through a series of tweets-

The reservation will not be applicable for Marathas contesting for local body elections, unlike the ones belonging to Scheduled Tribe and Schedules Castes. The bill will not offer any reservation on education qualifications required for government jobs. 

The Cabinet's move came after months of protests undertaken by the members of the community demanding reservations for jobs and education. Earlier in November, the BJP government in the state created a category- socially and economically backward class to provide reservations of the Maratha Community. 

The previous government of NCP-Congress alliance had granted 16% reservation to the community in education and jobs but, the decision was stayed by the Bombay High Court. Marathas had been seeking quota in government jobs and institutions since a number of years. But their demands have been struck down by at least three state governments, Mandal Commission as well as once by the judiciary as well. 

READ| Ram Temple Construction Not A Political Issue: Devendra Fadnavis

Back in August, the Muslim community demanded reservation, led by AIMIM's Waris Pathan and Samajhwadi party MLA Abu Azmi. A meeting of Muslim civil society was also conducted in Mumbai to put forward the demand.