The Bombay High Court expressed frustration as advocate Gunratan Sadavarte missed a crucial Maratha reservation hearing to participate in the reality show Bigg Boss. Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya remarked, “He is enjoying better company there,” highlighting the seriousness of the matter and questioning Sadavarte’s absence during this significant legal issue.
Bombay: The Bombay High Court expressed its displeasure on Monday after learning that Advocate Gunratan Sadavarte missed an important court session to participate in the reality TV show Bigg Boss. The hearing was a crucial one, involving multiple petitions challenging the Maratha reservation, which is a significant and sensitive issue in Maharashtra.
The court’s full bench, comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya, Justice GS Kulkarni, and Justice Firdosh Pooniwalla, has been hearing the matter over the past few months. On Monday, the court concluded arguments from all petitioners opposing the Maratha reservation. It scheduled the next hearing for November 19, when Advocate General Dr. Birendra Saraf will present the Maharashtra government’s defense.
Advocate Gunratan Sadavarte, who has actively opposed the Maratha reservation and filed a petition with his wife, Jaishri Patil, was notably absent from the hearing. The court has been hearing arguments in opposition to the Maratha reservation since June. Previously, senior advocates like Pradeep Sancheti and Anil Anturkar had represented the petitioners, while Advocate Subhash Jha concluded the final arguments.
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When the bench noticed Sadavarte’s absence, Chief Justice Upadhyaya questioned the seriousness of the petitioners and the importance of the case. The court’s frustration was evident when Advocate Janak Dwarkadas informed the judges that Sadavarte had gone to the Bigg Boss house for a special program. He even brought his pet donkey along for the show.
The Chief Justice expressed his irritation, stating, “He is enjoying better company there.” The bench made it clear that no further arguments from the petitioners would be allowed during the next hearing, which would focus on the Advocate General’s presentation of the state government’s case.
The petitions in question challenge the constitutional validity of the Maharashtra State Reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Act, 2024, which grants 10 percent reservation to the Maratha community in government jobs and educational institutions. Some petitions also contest the establishment of the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission, which is led by retired Justice Sunil Shukre. These petitions take issue with the commission’s methodology and recommendations regarding the Maratha reservation.
The Maratha reservation issue has been a matter of heated debate and legal scrutiny for several years. Various groups argue both for and against the reservation, raising concerns about its impact on other communities, the broader system of reservations, and the legal framework surrounding affirmative action in India.
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Advocate Gunratan Sadavarte has been a prominent voice in opposition to the Maratha reservation. He, along with his wife, filed one of the key petitions against the reservation. Sadavarte’s absence from the court on such a critical day raised questions about his commitment to the case and the gravity of the legal matter at hand.
The Bombay High Court’s hearing on the Maratha reservation is significant because it directly impacts the state’s policies regarding affirmative action and the balance between social justice and constitutional safeguards. The 10 percent reservation granted to the Maratha community was introduced to address their socio-economic challenges. However, the legislation has been challenged on constitutional grounds, with opponents arguing that it violates the cap on reservations set by the Supreme Court and disrupts the balance of opportunities for other communities.
The petitions against the Maratha reservation also question the findings of the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission, which recommended the inclusion of Marathas in the reserved category. Critics argue that the commission’s methodology was flawed and did not adequately justify the need for reservation based on social and educational backwardness.
As the court continues to deliberate on the issue, the outcome of this case could set a precedent for future affirmative action policies in India. With the next hearing set for November 19, all eyes will be on the arguments presented by Advocate General Dr. Birendra Saraf, who will defend the Maharashtra government’s stance on the reservation.
Advocate Gunratan Sadavarte’s decision to miss a crucial hearing in favor of participating in a reality show like Bigg Boss has drawn sharp criticism from the Bombay High Court. As the court prepares for the next phase of hearings, the focus will shift to the state government’s defense of the Maratha reservation policy. The case remains a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over reservation policies and their constitutional limits in India.
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