Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar Advocates for Caste-Based Survey Like In Bihar

In a significant move, Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, has called for a caste-based survey similar to the one conducted in Bihar on Monday, 23rd October. He believes that such a survey would provide a clearer and more accurate understanding of the population distribution among different social groups, including Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), minorities, and the general category.

Pawar's proposal for a caste-based survey comes in the face of opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with whom his faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) shares a coalition government in Maharashtra. The BJP has rejected demands for a nationwide caste census, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concerns that it could "divide the country."

Speaking at a public gathering in Solapur, Pawar stated, "I am of the opinion that a caste-based census should be conducted here. The Bihar government carried it out in that state. Through this exercise, we will gain a precise understanding of the population distribution among OBCs, SCs, STs, minorities, and the general category, as benefits are allocated based on the proportion of the population."

As per Pawar, he and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde have reached out to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for details of the caste survey conducted in Bihar, demonstrating their commitment to this initiative.

According to a report in PTI, even if such a survey incurs significant costs for the state, Pawar is determined to move forward with it. He also underscored the Maharashtra government's favorable stance on the quota demands of the Maratha and Dhangar communities.

However, Pawar emphasized that any increase in reservation should not impact the existing 62 percent reservation policy, which allocates 52 percent for SCs, STs, and OBCs, and 10 percent for Economically Weaker Sections.

"If reservation is given to Marathas and other communities from the existing 52 per cent, then those groups receiving benefits in this segment will be disappointed. Our efforts are to ensure quota provided above the 62 per cent at present is legally sustainable in the High Court and Supreme Court," the Deputy CM was quoted saying.

Pawar also highlighted a request by quota activist Manoj Jarange for Kunbi certificates to be granted to Marathas to access benefits under the Other Backward Classes category. This request has met with resistance from existing OBC groups who are opposed to the inclusion of any additional communities in their segment.

Notably, on 2nd October, the Bihar government, led by Nitish Kumar, unveiled the results of its caste survey, providing a comprehensive breakdown of population distribution among various caste groups and communities.