Maratha Quota Protest: Girish Mahajan Says Manoj Jarange's 'Sage Soyare' Demand Unlikely To Pass Legal Test

Maratha Quota Protest: Eknath Shinde Cabinet member Girish Mahajan has said that Manoj Jarange's demand for 'sage soyare' inclusion in the reservation notification legally questionable.

Maratha Quota Protest: File photo of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Cabinet minister Girish Mahajan meeting Manoj Jarange Patil during his hunger strike last year. ( Image Source :PTI )

Maratha Quota Protest: As Manoj Jarange's Maratha quota protest gathers steam ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Eknath Shinde Cabinet Girish Mahajan has dismissed the activist's demand to include the term "sage soyare" in the Maratha reservation notification. Mahajan said the demand would not be appropriate in terms of legality, reported news agency PTI.

Speaking in Pune on Wednesday, Mahajan, a BJP leader,  accused the Opposition of "politicising" the Maratha reservation issue. He said that the previous government headed by Devendra Fadnavis had successfully granted quota to the Maratha community without affecting the quotas of other communities. Girish Mahajan alleged that Maratha reservation efforts have been always neglected by previous governments.

Mahajan slammed the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government, which was brought down by Eknath Shinde's revolt, for "failing to defend the reservation in the Supreme Court after the BJP government began the process". "Sharad Pawar had even said there was no need to give reservation to Marathas," Mahajan claimed.

"The BJP's stance in support of the Maratha quota is clear. We support reservation for the Maratha community without touching the quota of Other Backward Classes (OBCs). We can't help it if Manoj Jarange is not satisfied despite all these efforts," Mahajan was quoted as saying by PTI.

Regarding Jarange's demand for "sage soyare" reservation, Mahajan said the legal feasibility and said it may not hold substance legally.

What Does 'Sage Soyare' Mean?

'Sage Soyare', a Marathi term, denotes ‘relatives from the family tree’. Specifying the categories, the Maharashtra government says “relatives of an applicant’s father, grandfather, great-grandfather and in earlier generations forming out of marriages within the same caste" can be included under 'sage soyare'.

Jarange is demanding for Kunbis to be recognised under the category of "sage soyare" Marathas. He is firm on his demand for Kunbi certificates to all Marathas, enabling them access to government job and education quota opportunities.

In February this year, the state assembly had passed a bill granting a separate 10% reservation to Marathas in education and jobs. However, the community is seeking inclusion under the OBC category.

READ ON ABP LIVE | Maratha Reservation: 'Sage Soyare' And Protests Led By Maharashtra Activist Manoj Jarange — Explained