The Maharashtra government had acceded to Patil s demand to give Kunbi (OBC) caste certificates to those Marathas who had historical proof. Patil, however, wants the state to give kunbi certificates to even relatives of those with Kunbi caste certificates. This is being opposed by the OBC communities. The state government on Tuesday passed a bill offering 10% reservation to those who don t have kunbi caste certificates but Patil has rejected the bill claiming they wanted the entire Maratha community to be included in OBC reservation.
"We are readying our legal challenge, we were given guarantees by senior government leaders from all the three parties (Shiv Sena, BJP and NCP- Ajit) that the Marathas would be given reservation but it won t be from the OBC quota. However, it seems that Patil may get his way," said a senior OBC leader.
The Mumbai Police has denied permission for it. Patil and his followers are on their way to Mumbai on tractors and other vehicles to carry out an indefinite fast seeking reservation for the Maratha community.
Bhujbal said Friday that approving Maratha quota would lead to a face-off between the Marathas on one side and OBCs, SCs, STs and Muslims on the other side.
Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil has said that the agitations for reservation will intensify if the issue of quota is not solved by October 29. The activist has also expressed over PM Modi visit. While Patil has been speaking of a non-violent stir, his utterances and fast have fired up the Maratha community.