THE CONTEXT: In a sign of significant socioeconomic churning in various parts of India, there have been demands for reservation by communities that are known to be politically dominant and are not traditionally classified as “backward”.
WHO ARE THE MARATHAS?
- The Marathas are a group of castes comprising peasants and landowners among others constituting nearly 33 per cent of state’s population.
- While most Marathas are Marathi-speaking, not all Marathi-speaking people belong to the Maratha community.
- This politically dominant community in state comprises nearly one-third of the population of the state.
- Historically, they have been identified as a ‘warrior’ caste with large land holdings.
- Since the formation of Maharashtra state in 1960, of its 20 chief ministers, 12 have been from the Maratha community.
ABOUT MARATHA COMMUNITY
- Maratha community has had significant representation in positions of political power, over 35% of MLAs since 1967 and 12 of 18 Chief Ministers in the State.
- It has also traditionally been economically influential in rural areas due to landowning, over 75% of the cultivable land in the State, besides controlling an overwhelming majority of sugar factories.
- Data from the India Human Development Survey (IHDS) in 2011-12 in the State:
- Marathas had a per capita consumption expenditure only lower than that of Brahmins.
- Poverty incidence among Marathas was comparable to that of other forward communities and significantly lower than that of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and marginally lower than that of Other Backward Classes.
- There are significant intra-community variations in terms of income and educational outcomes.
- The IHDS survey showed that the highest quintile of the community had an average per capita income of ₹86,750, while the per capita income of the lowest quintile was one-tenth of this.
- The Marathas have been demanding reservation in government jobs and educational institutions for a long time.
ISSUES AROUND THE MARATHA RESERVATION
- In 2018, The government in Maharashtra had given reservation to the Maratha community in jobs and higher education, however, the Maharashtra government’s decision on quota was quashed by the Supreme Court in May 2021.
- A 5-judge bench of the Supreme Court in May 2021 said that the Maratha community was not socially and educationally backward. It also refused a review petition in April 2023 declaring that the law which granted quota was unconstitutional.
GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE:
Government bowed to the demands of the latest agitation and set up a committee to help expedite the issue of Kunbi certificates to all Marathas so that they could benefit from reservations as part of the OBCs.
THE WAY FORWARD
Comprehensive socio-economic survey: The need for a comprehensive socio-economic survey across states, instead of knee-jerk responses to agitations, is a must to evaluate the implementation of reservation, its outcomes, and to find out which group deserves it based on constitutional provisions.
Bringing in proper framework: There is a need to bring proper framework for job ecosystem. As the role of the government is not in the matter of job creation but that of building an ecosystem conducive to creation of jobs. It has become common to suggest that the “New India” is characterised by the overwhelming importance of private enterprise, therefore new frameworks are needed.
Alternative ways to provide benefits: Alternative ways to provide benefits to the Maratha community, such as through scholarships or targeted subsidies. This would allow the government to address the specific needs of the Maratha community without creating a new reservation category.
CONCLUSION:
Any solution to the Maratha reservation issue will need to be carefully considered and will likely require a combination of approaches. The Maharashtra government will need to work closely with the Maratha community to develop a fair and equitable solution for all.
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION:
Q) Whether National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Schedules Castes in the religious minority institutions? Examine. (2018)
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q) Discuss the issues around the demand for reservation for the Marathas. Can we say that the time has come to extend the scope of reservation to private sector in India?. Argue.
SOURCE: Not a panacea: The Hindu Editorial on the Maratha demand for reservation – The Hindu
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