Chhagan Bhujbal Critiques Manoj Jarange for Harming Maratha Community and Social Harmony

Senior NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal criticised Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange, accusing him of harming the Maratha community and disturbing village harmony. Bhujbal, a key OBC figure, expressed satisfaction with the Supreme Court's decision on local body polls and OBC reservation, stating there's no reason for discontent. He remarked, "His activism has not brought any benefit. In fact, he has caused maximum damage to the Maratha community. He has disrupted the peace in villages across the state."

Bhujbal's comments were directed at Jarange, who had previously stirred state politics by undertaking an indefinite hunger strike for Marathas to be recognised as OBCs. Jarange, aged 42, has been advocating for Maratha reservation in government jobs and education under the OBC category through multiple hunger strikes over the past two years. Recently, he announced plans to march to Mumbai in late August to protest against the state government for Maratha reservation.

Supreme Court Ruling on OBC Reservation

The Supreme Court's recent verdict on local body polls and OBC reservation was a moment of joy for eight crore people, according to Bhujbal. The court restored the OBC reservation as it existed before the Jayant Banthia Commission report of 2022. Bhujbal noted that the commission's work was inadequate, as officials failed to visit many villages and districts before reporting on OBC numbers. This oversight led to OBCs losing their reservation in civic body elections.

The commission, led by retired IAS officer Jayant Banthia, was established by then-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray during Bhujbal's tenure as a minister. Bhujbal criticised new leaders making uninformed decisions about reservations without understanding their implications. He stated that those knowledgeable about the issue are not upset and questioned why they should care about those lacking understanding.

Maratha-OBC Reservation Debate

Bhujbal reiterated that the Maratha community already has a separate 10 per cent reservation and urged its members to utilise this provision instead of encroaching on quotas meant for the poor, nomadic, and denotified tribes. "You take advantage of your reservation. But do not encroach upon the quota meant for the poor, the nomadic and the denotified tribes. Help them instead," he said.

He also criticised Maratha leaders who previously obtained Kunbi certificates to claim OBC benefits but now oppose OBC interests. "If you have taken benefit under the OBC category, then fight for OBCs. Do not sit in OBC seats and then oppose them," Bhujbal insisted. The Kunbi community in Maharashtra is already classified as OBC.

Jarange demands that eligible Marathas receive Kunbi caste certificates to access the OBC quota benefits. With Jarange planning a march to Mumbai and Bhujbal's pointed remarks, tensions in the Maratha-OBC reservation debate are likely to escalate further.

With inputs from PTI