Quota ripples: OBC, Adivasi, Banjara outrage

Several OBC, Adivasi and Banjara organisations in Maharashtra have launched protests against the state government’s recent Government Resolution (GR) enabling Marathas to secure Kunbi caste certificates, thereby allowing them to claim reservation benefits. Protesters argue that the move threatens the existing entitlements of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC).

The agitation stems from the Hyderabad Gazette provision cited in the GR, which permits members of the Maratha community to obtain Kunbi caste status. Kunbis, traditionally an agrarian group, are already recognised as OBCs in Maharashtra.

In Jalna, Banjara youths have been on an indefinite hunger strike outside the Collector’s Office since September 11. Senior Banjara leader Haribhau Rathod announced that protest marches would be organised in Jalna and Beed on September 15.

Banjara outfit Gor Sena president Sandesh Chavan stated that the community was once classified as Scheduled Tribe under the Hyderabad State and demanded restoration of that status. He also referred to the suicide of a 32-year-old Banjara graduate from Dharashiv on Saturday, who reportedly left a note seeking ST reservation.

However, Adivasi organisations have opposed these demands, pointing out that the Banjara community already enjoys a 3 per cent quota under the Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNT) category.

Meanwhile, OBC leaders including Navnath Waghmare and Satusung Mundhe cautioned that extending Kunbi certificates to Marathas could jeopardise the rights of the 374 communities currently listed under OBC. They have called for a massive morcha in Nagpur on October 10 to press their opposition.

Citing historical records, protesters said that during the Nizam’s Hyderabad State rule, the Maratha community in Marathwada was provided reservation in education and employment as early as 1918, which is now being used as justification for the GR.