Maratha Reservation 'Will Last In Court': Shinde, Fadnavis, Uddhav Hail Passage Of Bill In State Assembly

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde tabled the Maharashtra State Socially and Educationally Backward Bill 2024 in the House during the day-long special session of the legislature on Maratha quota.

File photo of Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde

Source : PTI

New Delhi: The Maharashtra legislative assembly made a significant move on Tuesday by unanimously passing a bill aimed at providing 10% reservation for the Maratha community in both education and government job sectors. The bill was welcomed by many leaders. Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, Deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Council Neelam Gorhe, and other prominent figures from the ruling side, have expressed their elation, post bill has been passed.

#WATCH | Mumbai | Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, Deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Council Neelam Gorhe and other leaders of the ruling side express their joy.

Maratha Reservation bill has been passed by the state… pic.twitter.com/keuszkf1ZN

— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2024

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde hailed the passage as a day of happiness for the Maratha community and added, "For quite a few years this was their demand and this government has taken a decision of 10% reservation to the Maratha community...The data has been collected extensively. This reservation will also last in court. A detailed survey has been done keeping in view the feedback of the Supreme Court...Injustice has not been done to the OBC & other communities. It has been passed unanimously. I thank the opposition & both my Deputy CMs..."

#WATCH | Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde says, "Today, is a day of happiness for the Maratha community. For quite a few years this was their demand and this government has taken a decision of 10% reservation to the Maratha community...The data has been collected extensively. This… pic.twitter.com/Wjg6ySHOfQ

— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2024

Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis referred to concerns regarding the OBC quota saying, "Today, under the leadership of CM Eknath Shinde our government had given a proposal of 10 per cent reservation to the Maratha community in both the Houses. The bill was passed unanimously in both Houses...OBC reservation has not been touched. This has been given separately..."

#WATCH | On Maratha Reservation Bill, Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis says, "Today, under the leadership of CM Eknath Shinde our government had given a proposal of 10 per cent reservation to the Maratha community in both the Houses. The bill was passed unanimously in both… pic.twitter.com/xDgbSOJIeL

— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2024

Former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has expressed his satisfaction with the passage of the Maratha Reservation Bill, saying, "After studying the bill the government table this bill and it was passed and it will stay in court too. I'm happy and we appreciate the government. I congratulate the Maratha people and many people gave their sacrifice for this Maratha reservation. We saw a lathi charge in Antarwali village it was not needed but today I will not question the government. This reservation is for education & Job", as quoted by ANI.

On Maratha Reservation Bill, Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray says, "After studying the bill the government table this bill and it was passed and it will stay in court too. I'm happy and we appreciate the government. I congratulate the Maratha people and many people gave… pic.twitter.com/mNoG6JWClw

— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2024

"Everyone knows the history of CM (Eknath Shinde) and therefore till the time whatever he has said is implemented nothing can be said. We have supported the government but how many people are getting jobs should be told soon...I hope that it is full proof & for that, we need to wait for some time," he further added.

#WATCH | On Maratha Reservation Bill, Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray says, "Everyone knows the history of CM (Eknath Shinde) and therefore till the time whatever he has said is implemented nothing can be said. We have supported the government but how many people are… pic.twitter.com/HxgMtbA6M9

— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2024

Maharashtra Minister Shambhuraj Desai also voiced his opinion, remarking,  "This will give 100% reservation for education & Jobs. Everyone (Maratha) will get benefit from this, CM Eknath Shinde gave a promise and he fulfilled the promise. This bill has passed in Vidhansabha & Vidhanparis," as per ANI.

On the Maratha reservation bill passed in the State assembly, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said, "A bill has been passed in the Vidhan Sabha keeping in view the law & regulations. CM is speaking in the Vidhan Parishad and it will be passed there as well. The bill has been passed unanimously."

On the Maratha reservation bill passed in State assembly, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar says, "A bill has been passed in the Vidhan Sabha keeping in view the law & regulations. CM is speaking in the Vidhan Parishad and it will be passed there as well. The bill has been passed… pic.twitter.com/sm27bQcU4D

— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2024

Notably, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde tabled the Maharashtra State Socially and Educationally Backward Bill 2024 in the House during the day-long special session of the legislature on Maratha quota. The bill not only proposes the implementation of the reservation but also suggests a review after a period of 10 years once the quota comes into effect, reported PTI.

 Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange, who has been on a hunger strike since February 10, insisted on the necessity of convening a special session to address the Maratha reservation issue.

The government has recently issued a draft notification outlining a provision where if a Maratha person can provide documented proof of their association with the agrarian Kunbi community, their blood relatives, known as 'sage soyre', will also be entitled to Kunbi caste certificates, as per PTI.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission on Friday submitted a report on its survey on the social, economic, and educational backwardness of the Maratha community.