There is an “exceptional backwardness” among persons from the Maratha community and the entire group is looked down upon, hence they deserve reservation in educational institutions and government jobs, a Backward Classes Commission has submitted to the Bombay High Court.
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MUMBAI: The Maharashtra State Commission for Backward Classes (MSCBC) has argued before the Bombay High Court that the Maratha community faces “exceptional backwardness” and widespread social disdain, justifying the need for reservations in educational institutions and government jobs.
This assertion was made in response to a series of petitions challenging the reservation granted to the Maratha community.
The MSCBC filed an affidavit on July 26, as directed by the High Court, providing a detailed analysis and justifying the state’s decision to grant 10 percent reservation to the Maratha community under the Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) category earlier this year.
According to the commission, its quantitative research and review of previous committee reports revealed significant social and economic disadvantages faced by the Maratha community. The affidavit stated,
“The study revealed that the Maratha community was being looked down upon in the state. It was found that there was exceptional backwardness among the Maratha community.”
Highlighting the severity of the situation, the affidavit pointed out that despite India’s overall economic growth, the Maratha community’s economic condition remains dire. It emphasized,
“Against the buoyant economic conditions of the present day, the abject economic condition of the Marathas demonstrates their unusual and extraordinary economic backwardness.”
The MSCBC provided alarming statistics to support its claim, noting that over a ten-year period, more than 94 percent of suicides committed by individuals in the open category were from the Maratha community. From 2018 to 2023, the percentage of Maratha farmers who committed suicide was notably higher than that of farmers from other categories. The affidavit elaborated,
“The data also disclosed a high incidence of suicide by the members of the Maratha community, which was a sign of extreme depression and desperation.”
The commission’s findings underscored significant social hurdles, including stigma and traditional practices, contributing to the Maratha community’s social backwardness.
The economic data highlighted substantial disparities in living conditions, land ownership, and financial obligations between the Maratha community and the open category.
“The data revealed that the Maratha community showed a higher rate of poverty, more significant reliance on kutcha pucca houses, and a higher percentage of consumption loans, and so on,”
–the affidavit stated.
Additionally, the commission’s study indicated lower educational attainment levels among the Maratha community compared to the open category, particularly in secondary education and higher degrees.
The MSCBC also addressed the ongoing demand for reservations from the Maratha community, which has led to agitations and rallies, some of which have turned violent. The affidavit noted,
“Nearly 95 youths (as reported by the state government), stated to be belonging to the Maratha community, committed suicide in the year 2023-24. These events reflected a deep sense of anguish, despair, and distress among the members of the Maratha community.”
The commission argued that the 50 percent cap on reservations is “only directory and not mandatory” and that exceptional circumstances justify exceeding this limit.
“In exceptional or extraordinary circumstances, there is no bar to make a reservation beyond 50 percent,”
–the affidavit claimed.
The petitions challenging the reservation and the commission’s recommendations will be heard by a full bench comprising Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justices Girish Kulkarni and Firdosh Pooniwalla on August 5.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Maratha Community Reservation
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