Mumbai: NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal vehemently opposed the government notification regarding the Maratha quota demands.

Manoj Jarange-Patil, the key figure leading the Maratha quota protests, conveyed his appreciation to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for recognizing and approving their demands. Speaking to a gathering of supporters in Navi Mumbai, Jarange-Patil, who spearheaded the movement for more than four months, urged the government to promptly commence the issuance of Kunbi certificates.

He conveyed to the gathered crowd that the chief minister had directed the withdrawal of cases filed against community members during the protests. The activist stressed the unity displayed by the Maratha community throughout the protest and committed to avoiding any divisions between Marathas and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

Jarange-Patil informed the audience about a forthcoming meeting at Antarwali Sarathi village in Jalna to determine the community’s next course of action. He cautioned that if there were any issues with the government’s order, he would return to Azad Maidan, emphasizing the necessity for the order to withstand legal scrutiny.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who met with the activist at the protest site in Navi Mumbai, applauded Jarange-Patil for his persistence and commitment to the cause. Shinde congratulated the protesters for maintaining a peaceful agitation and affirmed his understanding of the challenges faced by farmers, expressing his dedication to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s principles.

He reiterated that the government’s decisions are driven by the welfare of the people, not for political motives.

“Our government is dedicated to the common people. We make decisions in the best interest of the people, without considering their votes. While the Maratha community has produced many prominent leaders, they did not support the community when it was most needed,” Shinde asserted, seemingly directing his statement at NCP veteran Sharad Pawar, a influential figure within the Maratha community.

Regarding the demands, the Maharashtra government issued a notification on Saturday recognizing all blood relatives of Maratha community members, with verified Kunbi caste records, as Kunbis. The notification outlines the draft rules under the title “Maharashtra Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, De-Notified Tribes, Nomadic Tribes, Other Backward Classes and Special Backward Category (Regulation of Issuance and Verification of) Caste Certificate (Amendment) Rules, 2024.”

As per the notification, Kunbi caste certificates will be granted upon submission of an affidavit establishing relationships with blood relatives, including uncles, nephews, and other family members, as well as “patriarchal” relatives whose Kunbi records confirm their status as “sage soyare” (blood relatives) of the applicants. Following a field inquiry and verification process, the certificates will be promptly issued.

The term ‘sage soyare’ encompasses relatives of the applicant’s father, grandfather, great grandfather, and previous generations resulting from marriages within the same castes. The rules specifically define “sage soyare” as relatives of Maratha community members whose records indicate their status as Kunbi, ensuring their eligibility to receive Kunbi caste certificates.

“All the ‘sage soyare’ in relation to the persons belonging to the Maratha community, whose record of being Kunbi has been found, shall be given certificates on the basis of the Kunbi records of such persons belonging to Maratha community,” states the notification.

Internal opposition is emerging within the government, with NCP minister and OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal, associated with the Ajit faction, expressing strong reservations about the decision and casting doubt on its legal validity.

Bhujbal voiced his concerns, stating, “This decision will not withstand legal scrutiny. It’s an eyewash. Marathas are being misled, and injustice is being done to OBCs.”

Emphasizing that it is a draft ordinance, Bhujbal mentioned, “Suggestions and objections are sought by February 16, after which the government will decide. Then we will decide whether to challenge it in court.”