Wed May 28 04:23:19 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Maharashtra Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, a senior leader of the Other Backward Classes (OBC), has declared his strong opposition to the Maratha community’s demand for inclusion in the OBC category for reservation benefits. Bhujbal argues that the OBC category is already full and that the Marathas, who he claims are influential and already enjoy advantages in the state, should not seek reservation under the OBC umbrella. He accuses Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil of creating social divisions. He also states that the government will not withdraw the Banthia Commission report from the Supreme Court, as the Indra Sawhney case capping reservations at 50% would ultimately prevail.
**News Article:**
**Maharashtra Minister Vows to Fight Maratha Inclusion in OBC Category**
**Mumbai, May 28, 2025** – Maharashtra Cabinet Minister and senior OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal has ignited a fresh debate over reservation policies in the state, vowing to fight “tooth and nail” against the inclusion of the Maratha community in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. In an interview with The Hindu, Bhujbal argued that the OBC category is already overburdened and that the Marathas, whom he described as wielding considerable influence and already benefiting from existing systems, have their own avenues for seeking reservation.
“Our house is already full,” Bhujbal stated, emphasizing that the OBC designation represents a class, not a caste, encompassing numerous smaller groups. “So we are telling the Marathas, ‘Don’t come here. You have another house, please go there.'”
Bhujbal accused Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil of disrupting social harmony in Maharashtra, alleging that Jarange-Patil’s actions have created a rift between the OBC and Maratha communities. He further asserted that Marathas already hold significant power within the state, dominating key sectors such as banking, cooperatives, and politics.
When asked about the Banthia Commission report on OBC reservations in local body elections, Bhujbal indicated that the state government would not withdraw it from the Supreme Court, suggesting that the 1992 Indra Sawhney case, which caps reservations at 50%, would ultimately govern the situation.
Bhujbal’s remarks come amidst renewed agitation by Maratha groups seeking reservation benefits. His firm stance signals a potential clash with these groups and highlights the complexities surrounding reservation policies in Maharashtra.
The full interview with Chhagan Bhujbal will be available on The Hindu’s YouTube channel, ‘Pulse Maharashtra,’ on May 31.
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