E-Paper
OBCs plan drive against quota for Marathas
One of the fronts of the Other Backward Castes has opposed the demand to include the Maratha community in the reserved category, saying the community is well established in society, reports Satyajit Joshi.
One of the fronts of the Other Backward Castes (OBC) has opposed the demand to include the Maratha community in the reserved category, saying the community is well established in society.
Members of OBC Sangharsha Samiti have decided to go on a statewide campaign to gain support. The members will meet on Wednesday in Pune to draw the campaign plan.
The campaign, planned ahead of general elections, may be an additional obstacle for the Congress-National Congress Party government, as Maratha outfits have been staging agitations demanding inclusion of the community in OBC category.
The Samiti’s leader Krishnakant Kudale is a staunch supporter of Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, an OBC himself.
“It is hardly a period of 15 years since the deprived class has been getting benefits of reservation and their interests would be affected if progressive and established communities (like Maratha) are included in the list for reservation,” said Kudale.
He said the Maratha community was dominant in all walks of life. Kudale has demanded the implementation of Bapat Committee recommendations that had ruled out reservation for Marathas. Vinayak Mete of the Maratha Samnvay Samiti is on a statewide tour to gather support for including Marathas in the OBC category.
