Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 2: In a significant development that could reshape the reservation dynamics in Maharashtra, the state government has agreed to release a Government Resolution (GR) within an hour for implementing the Hyderabad Gazette, following intense pressure from pro-Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil. This move is expected to facilitate the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to members of the Maratha community, particularly from Marathwada.

The implementation of the Satara Gazette, which would serve a similar purpose for western Maharashtra, is also on the cards, with the Cabinet subcommittee promising its rollout within a month. These steps come after a high-stakes negotiation between Jarange-Patil and a cabinet subcommittee led by Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil.

The Hyderabad Gazette, originally issued in 1918 during the Nizamshahi rule, recognized the Hindu Maratha community as being eligible for educational and employment reservations due to their historical marginalization. While historically linked to regions such as Marathwada, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Karnataka, its contemporary use is aimed at establishing a link between the Maratha and Kunbi identities — the latter being recognized under the OBC category, which qualifies for reservations.

The Satara Gazette, meanwhile, functions as a local administrative document for Satara district, recording land transactions, legal orders, and potentially, caste classifications. Some Marathas in this region reportedly have historical records classifying them as Kunbis. However, both the Supreme Court and Bombay High Court have previously ruled that Marathas and Kunbis are distinct castes, complicating the path to blanket reservation eligibility.

Government sources admitted key differences between the two gazettes. While the Satara Gazette is a formal, regularly updated government publication used for administrative purposes, the Hyderabad Gazette is a historical ordinance, lacking clarity and specific documentation for current use. This has sparked debates within government circles about whether the Hyderabad Gazette can be implemented in its current form.

To ensure proper verification, the government has proposed forming three-member taluka-level committees to vet claims under both gazettes before issuing Kunbi certificates. This approach is expected to standardize the process and maintain administrative oversight.

However, the move is not without controversy. OBC organizations, including Chhagan Bhujbal’s Samata Parishad, have voiced strong opposition, arguing that reclassifying Marathas as Kunbis under the OBC quota could dilute their existing share of reservations. These groups are expected to legally scrutinize the government's resolutions before deciding their next course of action.

While Jarange-Patil sees the government’s move as a breakthrough, the political and legal battle over Maratha reservation is far from over. With social tensions simmering and competing community interests at stake, the government's next steps will be critical in either resolving or deepening the ongoing quota conflict.