On Thursday, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) head Sharad Pawar urged that the Union government should not be a passive observer, but rather take the initiative to resolve the quota issue in Maharashtra and fulfil demands of the Maratha community and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
Addressing reporters in Baramati, Pawar–amid the quota issue in Maharashtra–said that it is important to change state and union government policies as well as amend legislation to resolve Maharashtra`s current Maratha-OBC reservation conflict. He underlined that the Union government should take the initiative in resolving these concerns, reported PTI.
The PTI report added that the Maharashtra legislature passed a bill in February that granted the Maratha minority a special 10 per cent reservation in education and jobs. However, the group continues to demand inclusion in the OBC quota.
Quota issue in Maharashtra: Manoj Jarange seeks reservation for Marathas as Kunbis, OBC activists oppose
Manoj Jarange, an activist, is lobbying for the execution of a draft notification that identifies Kunbis as “sage soyare” (blood relatives) of Marathas, as well as the passage of legislation to identify Kunbis as Marathas, reported PTI.
Per the report, the Kunbi group is classified as an OBC, and Jarange requires Kunbi credentials from all Marathas in order for them to be eligible for OBC quotas in government posts and education.
Meanwhile, two OBC activists are on hunger strike in Jalna district, demanding government assurance that the existing OBC quota will be maintained, the report added.
Quota issue in Maharashtra: Pawar calls for policy change
Pawar called for policy changes at both the state and central levels to address the demands of both communities and prevent social tensions. He said, “A change in policies of the state and central governments will have to be made. The governments, specially the Centre, should take the lead in addressing demands of both the communities and ensure the agitation does not cross a limit and that social tension should not take place. The governments cannot be a mere spectator on the issue.”
The NCP leader assured that the opposition would support government efforts to reduce social tension but warned that they would unite all parties and decide on further actions if the government remains inactive.
“We will be insisting on this issue, and that the government should intervene. In Parliament, we had put forth the same stance. We will talk to the other opposition parties and try to take a collective stand on the issue,” he said per the news agency report and added, “We will cooperate to reduce social tension, but if they (government) do nothing, then we will unite all the parties and decide collectively on the future course of action.”
Pawar also mentioned his recent visits to various villages in the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency, highlighting issues faced by farmers. He has requested a meeting with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, reported PTI, to discuss concerns about water scarcity, milk prices, and irrigation projects.
“I have requested him (CM) to convene a meeting in Mumbai over these issues. I will also talk to him over the phone. I will present all the issues related to farmers, water scarcity, milk prices and irrigation projects that I encountered during my visits to this region,” he said.
Pawar`s daughter, Supriya Sule, was recently re-elected as the MP for Baramati for a fourth term.
