Amit Shah Labels Sharad Pawar As Corruption Mastermind, Addresses Maratha Reservations

During a BJP conclave in Pune, Amit Shah accused Sharad Pawar of being the 'biggest mastermind of corruption' in India, and addressed the issue of Maratha reservations, claiming they are only secured under BJP's governance.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar, calling him the "biggest mastermind of corruption in Indian politics.

"Shah's remarks were made during a BJP conclave in Pune, where he addressed party workers and supporters.

Photo Credit: PTI

"They (the opposition) are speaking about corruption. The biggest mastermind of corruption in Indian politics is Sharad Pawar and I have no confusion in that. What will they accuse us of now? If somebody has done the job of institutionalising corruption, Sharad Pawar, it is you," Shah stated, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Maratha Reservations Controversy

The senior BJP leader also touched on the issue of Maratha reservations, accusing Pawar of hindering efforts to secure these reservations. Shah claimed that whenever the BJP government is in power in Maharashtra, Marathas receive reservations, but these disappear under Pawar's administration.

"Whenever the BJP government comes to power in Maharashtra, Marathas get a reservation and whenever Sharad Pawar's government comes to power, Maratha reservation disappears," Shah asserted. He added that the 10-year extension for reservations was granted only during Modi Ji's tenure, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Legal Challenges and Supreme Court Ruling

The Fadnavis government introduced a bill in November 2018 providing 16% reservation for Marathas under Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC). However, this faced legal challenges as it exceeded the Supreme Court's 50% cap on reservations.

In June 2019, the Bombay high court upheld the reservation but reduced it to 12% in education and 13% in government jobs. The court maintained that total reservations should not exceed the Supreme Court's limit.

Supreme Court Strikes Down Reservation

In May 2021, the Supreme Court declared the Maratha reservation unconstitutional, as per media reports. The ruling stated that Marathas could not be classified as Socially and Educationally Backward under existing laws and that exceptional circumstances justifying exceeding the 50% cap were not demonstrated by the state government.

Activist Manoj Jarange's Demands

Activist Manoj Jarange has been advocating for Maratha reservations under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. He has led protests demanding OBC certificates for all Kunbis (agriculturists) and their "sage soyre" (blood relatives) as Marathas.

Citing his party’s role in securing reservations during its tenure, Shah said, "In 2014, under Devendra Fadnavis as the chief minister, you got the Maratha reservation. If you want to continue the Maratha reservation, you must make the BJP win," as reported by Hindustan Times.

The controversy over Maratha reservations remains a significant issue ahead of Maharashtra assembly elections later this year. The political landscape continues to be shaped by these debates and legal battles over social justice measures.