PUNE: The Maratha morcha from Jalna to Mumbai, led by quota activist Manoj Jarange, ended with chief minister Eknath Shinde sharing the draft notification with Jarange on Saturday. But what have the Marathas gained from the agitation? Do they have anything to rejoice? These are questions that still need some consideration.
According to
community leaders
,
Jarange's agitation
can be termed a success as it mobilised state government in helping track down the
Kunbi certificates
of the eligible Marathas, though it still hasn't guaranteed blanket
reservation
for the entire community.
On Saturday, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis also categorically said that the draft notification does not apply to those who do not have records to prove themselves as Kunbi. It is only for those who have the Kunbi records, but still are deprived of the OBC quota benefits. "As per the existing constitutional provisions, blanket reservation is not possible. Those who are eligible, but are still not getting the benefits due to lack of certificates will benefit from this step," said Fadnavis in Nagpur.
Jarange's agitation had started in Jalna's Antarwali Sarati village last year with the demand of giving Kunbi certificates to Marathas in the Marathwada region as per the Nizam-era records. However, as the agitation grew bigger, Jarange started demanding reservation for the entire community, irrespective of the documentary evidence. On Saturday, state government assured him of accepting his demands, but the community leaders feel there is still a long way to go for the entire community to get reservation.
Speaking to TOI, Pravin Gaikwad, state president of Sambhaji Brigade, said, "The community has got an assurance, not reservation. The community will get reservation only if government brings about a law. Some people will be challenging the notification in the court of law. Therefore, I feel the community should closely watch the developments instead of rejoicing."
At present, the economically weaker members in the Maratha community are eligible for 10% reservation under the economically weaker section category. Community leaders feel they need to be pragmatic. They said while the demand for separate reservation for the entire community is still pending, the Maratha youths should start exploring opportunities in the private sector for financial stability instead of only pinning hopes on reservation benefits.
"I feel we should demand quality and affordable education for all. The younger generation of Marathas should look to explore newer opportunities in the private sector to make use of globalisation," said Gaikwad.
Other community leaders also feel that though Jarange's agitation has wrapped up, the battle for
Maratha quota
is far from over. Rajendra Kunjir, state coordinator of Maratha Kranti Morcha, told TOI: "We are happy government has given draft notification, but this is not enough. It should now immediately call for a special session and declare the reservation for the community - that is legally sustainable - in the Assembly."
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