OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal meeting the family members of Bharat Karad in Wangdari village, Latur, on Friday.
| Photo Credit: X/@ChhaganCBhujbal
Maharashtra Minister and Other Backward Classes (OBC) leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Friday urged Maratha leaders to clarify their stance on reservation, alleging that the community is seeking reservation under the OBC category in addition to benefits already being availed of under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) categories.
Mr. Bhujbal was speaking to reporters in Wangdari village of Latur district after meeting the family members of Bharat Karad, a 35-year-old autorickshaw driver from the OBC community who allegedly ended his life by jumping into the Manjra river on Wednesday evening out of fear that the recent government resolution (GR) to issue Kunbi caste certificates to eligible members of the Maratha community would wipe out quota for OBCs.
According to the police, a note was found at the spot, which allegedly stated that he was ending his life so that his sacrifice ensures that his community gets justice. The police are still investigating the case.
The GR was issued on September 2 after Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil staged a hunger strike in Mumbai for five days from August 29.
‘Issued under pressure’
“The GR has struck at the very roots of OBC reservation. Some people want Marathas to be included in the OBC category despite receiving benefits through EWS and SEBC quotas. Because of this pressure, the government issued this GR,” Mr. Bhujbal said.
“The Maratha community is not backward and the court has also said it. The Supreme Court stood with us [OBCs] and gave us 27% reservation. The issue of Maratha quota cropped up a few years back. There are 374 castes in the OBC category and their reservation is in danger,” he added.
The Minister also urged members of the OBC community not to resort to extreme steps. “We are fighting for the rights of OBCs within the framework of democracy. Have full faith in the judiciary,” he said, adding that if the government does not address the issue, there could be anarchy in the State.
Meanwhile, Mr. Jarange-Patil also urged people from both Maratha and OBC communities not to take the extreme step. “Young people from no community should resort to suicide,” he told reporters at Antarwali Sarati, his village in Jalna district.
“We are not against OBCs. We only demand our rightful share under OBC quota,” he said, adding that Maratha leaders should reject quota under EWS or SEBC categories as it breaches the 50% ceiling.
BJP Minister Ashish Shelar attempted to defuse tensions by stating that Mr. Bhujbal is a senior leader who understands the situation well and clarified that members of the Maratha community who have opted for quota benefits under the EWS category will not be eligible for benefits under other categories.
(Those in distress may contact Sanjivini, Society for Mental Health suicide prevention helpline: 011-40769002.)
Published – September 13, 2025 01:30 am IST
