Maratha quota stir: RPI Ektavadi leader accuses Maha govt of dragging issue

Jitendrakumar Indise, a leader of RPI Ektavadi, expressed his belief that the Maratha community deserves the reservations they are seeking and accused the government of of dragging the issue.

Speaking to reporters, the national executive president of the RPI (E) cited Article 340 of the Constitution, which provides for the appointment of a commission to investigate the condition of backward classes. All along, everyone has been blaming the state government for the present situation, but the entire fault lies with the Centre, which has not acted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not want to take a firm decision on the issue, Indise said.

When Patels in Gujarat can be granted reservation, why not Marathas in Maharashtra, he said. Members of the Maratha community have been staging protests seeking reservation in government jobs and education under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.

The fact remains that the Marathas can get reservations, which is already provided for the Constitution, but only by following proper procedure, he said, adding that a legally sustainable reservation can be granted.