Leaders, activists express disappointment, Maratha quota verdict: Organisations seek relief from government

By Lokmat English Desk | Published: May 5, 2021 10:55 PM2021-05-05T22:55:08+5:302021-05-05T22:55:08+5:30

Aurangabad, May 5: Leaders and activists of various organisations representing Maratha community have expressed strong disappointment over striking down ...

Leaders, activists express disappointment, Maratha quota verdict: Organisations seek relief from government | Leaders, activists express disappointment, Maratha quota verdict: Organisations seek relief from government

Leaders, activists express disappointment, Maratha quota verdict: Organisations seek relief from government

Aurangabad, May 5: Leaders and activists of various organisations representing Maratha community have expressed strong disappointment over striking down of Maratha reservations by the Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday. They have demanded that the government should provide them relief. Excerpts from reactions.

Today is a black day for the community

Maratha community staged 58 silent rallies for reservations. About 13,500 cases were registered against the protesters. Reservations were granted when 53 youths sacrificed their lives. Today is the black day for the entire Maratha community as the SC has canceled the reservations. Youths should not give up patience. The central and state government should take immediate decisions for the Maratha community.

-Abhijeet Deshmukh, Maratha Kranti Morcha Coordinator

Politicians let down the Maratha community

Politicians in power and in opposition made no effort to preserve reservations. Chairman of the cabinet sub-committee Ashok Chavan was not serious about reservation. Today's result was due to their irresponsible attitude. Maratha community will show politicians their place.

-Appasaheb Kudhekar, Maratha Kranti Morcha Coordinator

Taking to street is only alternative now

The SC judgment has shocked the community members. The SC, which has taken a stand not to touch the reservation of Tamil Nadu, has done injustice with Maratha community. All political parties have the mindset not to do justice with Marathas. Our struggle on the road for the reservation will continue.

Manoj Gaike (Coordinator, Maratha Kranti Morcha):

Why different approach for Maharashtra?

The apex court cancelled the reservation of Maratha community under pressure from the Central Government. This is our allegation. There is more than 50 per cent reservation in different States of the country. Why there is a different approach for Maharashtra? One needs to find this out. The advantage of Covid situation may have been taken as community members cannot take to street and agitate.

Suresh Wakde (founder president, Buland Chhava):

Maratha reservation issue not ended

Maratha reservation issue has not ended. The Maratha Community of Marathwada should be included in the OBC category and the caste claim of the mother should be made applicable for the children. These are our demands and the Maratha Community will get a relief to some extent if they are accepted. Matters pending in the Aurangabad Division Bench regarding reservation will have to be revived again.

Kishor Chavan, Co-ordinator, Maratha Kranti Morcha

We welcome Supreme Court decision

The Maharashtra Rajya OBC Sangharsh Samiti welcomed the decision given by the SC regarding the Maratha reservations. We had been telling from the beginning that the Maratha reservation is not within the ambit of the Constitution. Now, the SC has upheld this contention.

Adv Mahadev Andhale, president Maharashtra State OBC Sangharsh Samiti

Maratha reservation is unconstitutional

Maratha Reservation is unconstitutional and it cannot stand. We had been proposing this stand since the beginning. An amendment will have to be made in the Constitution if reservations have to be given to the Marathas or Muslims.

Shabbir Ansari, Founder President, All India Muslim OBC Organisation.

Supreme Court’s decision appropriate

The decision of the SC regarding the Maratha reservation is appropriate. After the 102nd Constitutional amendment, the state government does not have the right to make any law on reservation. This fact was not considered before passing legislation for Maratha reservation. The Maratha Community should be patient and study the issue thoroughly. No one should take undue advantage of the emotions of the Maratha Community. The issue is very sensitive.

Adv D R Shelke, former judge.

Unfortunate for Maratha community

From the point of view of the Constitution, the SC decision is right, but it is unfortunate for the Maratha community. Basically, Marathas are Kunbis and Kunbis have already been included in OBCs list. If the Maratha community is given 16 per cent reservation, it becomes unconstitutional. Nevertheless, the move of giving them 16 per cent reservation, which exceeded 50 per cent limit, was a well-thought out conspiracy of the then government. Opposition parties did not want to hurt OBCs. The community was misguided in the reservation matter, is my personal opinion.

-- Vijaykumar Sapkal, law expert.

SC decision is in keeping with Constitution

The decision about the Maratha reservation given by the SC is in keeping with the provisions in the Constitution. In the judgement of Indra Swahney case of 1992, the apex court has clearly mentioned that the reservation should not be more the 50 per cent under any circumstance whereas at present it is 52 per cent in Maharashtra. Hence, the decision given by the court today is constitutional.

-- Adv Siddheshwar Thombre.

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