Overview of Maratha Quota Protests

• Background: The Maratha community, constituting 33% of Maharashtra’s population, has been demanding reservations in education and government jobs.

Judicial Decisions on Maratha Reservation

Bombay High Court’s Ruling (2019)

• Original Proposal: Maharashtra’s BJP government proposed 16% Maratha reservation in 2018.
• High Court Verdict: Upheld the reservation but reduced it to 12% in education and 13% in government jobs.
• Basis of Ruling: Relied on the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission’s report 

Supreme Court’s Decision (2021)

• Quashing Maratha Quota: Found the quota raised total reservations above the 50% limit set in the 1992 Indra Sawhney judgment.
• Court’s Stance: Recognized 50% cap as constitutional, noting no extraordinary situation to exceed this limit. Identified Marathas as a dominant, forward community.

Maharashtra Government’s Steps Post-Supreme Court Ruling

• Interim Measure: Utilization of the 10% Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota for economically weaker Marathas.
• Future Plans: Announced filing a curative petition; setting up a new panel for detailed community survey.

Latest Actions by Maharashtra Government

• Formation of New Committee: Five-member committee under Justice Sandeep K Shinde to explore issuing Kunbi (OBC) certificates to Marathas.
• Next Steps: Commitment to file a curative petition in the Supreme Court.

Why in News:

• Recently, Maratha Reservation protests have been heating up in Maharashtra.