<p>The government of the western Indian state of Maharashtra on Tuesday (Feb 20) approved a bill to grant 10% reservation in education and government&nbsp;jobs to Marathas above the 50 per cent constitutional cap. The bill for 10 per cent reservation for the Maratha community was approved by the state government headed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. It was tabled in the state&nbsp;legislative assembly in a special one-day session and was subsequently passed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The state government has approved the Maratha reservation based on a report submitted by the Maharashtra Backward Class Commission (MBCC) headed by chairman Justice (Retired) Sunil Shukre.<br />
<br />
The MBCC proposed a 10 per cent reservation for Marathas in education and jobs, similar to that of the previous bill brought in 2018 by the then-state government.<br />
<br />
This is the third time in a decade that the state has introduced legislation for the Maratha quota.</p>

<p>The Maratha reservation bill approved on Tuesday is similar to the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Act, 2018, introduced by the then-Devendra Fadnavis government.</p>

<h2>Why Marathas have been demanding&nbsp;reservation?</h2>

<p>The government says that the Maratha community constitutes 28% of the state's population and a significant portion of Maratha families fall below the poverty line, with 21.22% holding yellow ration cards, exceeding the state average of 17.4%.<br />
<br />
A survey indicates that 94 per cent of farmer suicides in Maharashtra involve Maratha families.<br />
<br />
Moreover, 84 per cent of Maratha families do not fall under the 'progressed' category, making them eligible for reservation as outlined in the bill.</p>

<p>The Marathas are a historically dominant community in the state of Maharashtra, the official language of which (Marathi) derives its name from the warrior community. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Maratha Empire spanned 80 per cent territory of modern-day India and was a major military and political force even the British had to make great efforts to subdue before establishing colonial reign over India.<br />
<br />
<strong>Watch | India: Maharashtra cabinet approves 'Maratha Quota Bill'</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-maharashtra-cabinet-approves-maratha-quota-bill-691930/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The bill was tabled in the legislature during a special session called after months of agitation led by Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil, who&nbsp;is currently on a hunger strike in Jalna district of Maharashtra.</p>

<p>Maharashtra already offers a 10 per cent quota for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and the Maratha&nbsp;community has been the biggest beneficiary of this in the past.</p>

<p>MBCC submitted a report on the social and educational backwardness of the Maratha community after what it said was a survey of 25 million households in the state in a span of just nine days. Critics of the survey allege that the number of households visited is not as high as it is being described.</p>

<p>This is not the first time Maratha reservation has been approved by the Maharashtra government. In 2014, the then-state chief minister Prithviraj Chavan approved a 16 per cent reservation for Marathas and promulgated an ordinance. But the measure was stayed by the Bombay High Court.</p>

<p>In 2018, the Maharashtra State Reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act was passed by the government headed by then-chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. Sixteen per cent reservation was granted.</p>

<h2>Legal battle ahead?</h2>

<p>Attempts by state governments to introduce reservations for Marathas have faced legal challenges, with previous efforts being struck down by courts. However, the persistence of protests and the political significance of the Maratha community have led to repeated revivals of this sensitive issue, given that the community constitutes a significant portion of Maharashtra's population.<br />
<br />
In 2021, the Supreme Court invalidated reservations for Marathas in college admissions and employment in Maharashtra citing a lack of exceptional circumstances to justify breaching the 50% cap on overall reservations. Despite the rejection of a review plea, the state government pursued a curative petition in its quest to uphold Maratha reservations.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The government of the western Indian state of Maharashtra on Tuesday (Feb 20) approved a bill to grant 10% reservation in education and government jobs to Marathas above the 50 per cent constitutional cap.

The government of the western Indian state of Maharashtra on Tuesday (Feb 20) approved a bill to grant 10% reservation in education and government jobs to Marathas above the 50 per cent constitutional cap. The bill for 10 per cent reservation for the Maratha community was approved by the state government headed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. It was tabled in the state legislative assembly in a special one-day session and was subsequently passed. The state government has approved the Maratha reservation based on a report submitted by the Maharashtra Backward Class Commission (MBCC) headed by chairman Justice (Retired) Sunil Shukre. The MBCC proposed a 10 per cent reservation for Marathas in education and jobs, similar to that of the previous bill brought in 2018 by the then-state government. This is the third time in a decade that the state has introduced legislation for the Maratha quota. The Maratha reservation bill approved on Tuesday is similar to the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Act, 2018, introduced by the then-Devendra Fadnavis government. Why Marathas have been demanding reservation? The government says that the Maratha community constitutes 28% of the state's population and a significant portion of Maratha families fall below the poverty line, with 21.22% holding yellow ration cards, exceeding the state average of 17.4%. A survey indicates that 94 per cent of farmer suicides in Maharashtra involve Maratha families. Moreover, 84 per cent of Maratha families do not fall under the 'progressed' category, making them eligible for reservation as outlined in the bill. The Marathas are a historically dominant community in the state of Maharashtra, the official language of which (Marathi) derives its name from the warrior community. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Maratha Empire spanned 80 per cent territory of modern-day India and was a major military and political force even the British had to make great efforts to subdue before establishing colonial reign over India. Watch | India: Maharashtra cabinet approves 'Maratha Quota Bill' × The bill was tabled in the legislature during a special session called after months of agitation led by Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil, who is currently on a hunger strike in Jalna district of Maharashtra. Maharashtra already offers a 10 per cent quota for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and the Maratha community has been the biggest beneficiary of this in the past. MBCC submitted a report on the social and educational backwardness of the Maratha community after what it said was a survey of 25 million households in the state in a span of just nine days. Critics of the survey allege that the number of households visited is not as high as it is being described. This is not the first time Maratha reservation has been approved by the Maharashtra government. In 2014, the then-state chief minister Prithviraj Chavan approved a 16 per cent reservation for Marathas and promulgated an ordinance. But the measure was stayed by the Bombay High Court. In 2018, the Maharashtra State Reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act was passed by the government headed by then-chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. Sixteen per cent reservation was granted. Legal battle ahead? Attempts by state governments to introduce reservations for Marathas have faced legal challenges, with previous efforts being struck down by courts. However, the persistence of protests and the political significance of the Maratha community have led to repeated revivals of this sensitive issue, given that the community constitutes a significant portion of Maharashtra's population. In 2021, the Supreme Court invalidated reservations for Marathas in college admissions and employment in Maharashtra citing a lack of exceptional circumstances to justify breaching the 50% cap on overall reservations. Despite the rejection of a review plea, the state government pursued a curative petition in its quest to uphold Maratha reservations. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Maratha reservation bill passed unanimously in Maharashtra assembly

<p>Several ruling and opposition parties on Sunday made a strong pitch for the passage of the women’s reservation bill during the five-day parliament session beginning Monday.</p>

<p>At an all-party meeting convened by the government on the eve of the session, several leaders said the long-pending bill should be tabled and hoped that it could be passed with consensus.</p>

<p>The bill seeks to reserve one-third of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-santiniketan-home-to-rabindranath-tagore-makes-it-to-unescos-world-heritage-list-636892">India's Santiniketan, home to Rabindranath Tagore, makes it to UNESCO's World Heritage List</a></p>

<p>However, some regional parties demanded quota for backward classes and Scheduled Castes within the overall reservation for women, sources said. This has been a key sticking point in the passage of the bill earlier.</p>

<p>“All opposition parties demanded the passage of women’s reservation bill in this Parliament session,” Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said.</p>

<p>BJP ally and NCP leader Praful Patel said, “We appeal to govt to pass the women’s reservation bill in this parliament session.” “We are hopeful that women’s reservation bill will be passed with consensus if tabled in parliament,” he added.</p>

<p>Patel also said that the parliament will shift to the new building on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi on Tuesday.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-bank-finds-unique-way-to-tackle-loan-defaulters-it-involves-chocolates-636887">Indian bank finds unique way to tackle loan defaulters, it involves chocolates...</a></p>

<p>BJD leader Pinaki Misra said a new era should begin from the newparliament building and the women’s reservation bill should be passed.</p>

<p>Chowdhury told reporters that the government had informed them it was a regular session of Parliament.</p>

<p>“Only the government knows what its intention is. It may surprise everyone with some new agenda,” he said, adding that issues such as price rise, unemployment, and the situation on the border with China were raised by his party in the meeting.</p>

<p>Several regional parties including the BJD and the BRS also pushed for tabling of the women’s reservation bill.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | From Afghanistan to India, meet ace singer of Ricky Kej's band- Abi K Safa</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/from-afghanistan-to-india-meet-ace-singer-of-ricky-kejs-band-abi-k-safa-636510/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the deputy leader of the House in Lok Sabha; Union Minister Piyush Goyal, the leader of the House in Rajya Sabha; and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi represented the government in the meeting.</p>

<p>Former prime minister and JD(S) leader H D Deve Gowda, DMK’s Kanimozhi, TDP’s Ram Mohan Naidu, TMC’s Derek O’Brien, AAP’s Sanjay Singh, BJD’s Sasmit Patra, BRS’ K Keshava Rao, YSR Congress Party’s V Vijayasai Reddy, RJD’s Manoj Jha and JD(U)’s Anil Hegde and SP’s Ram Gopal Yadav were also among those who attended the meeting.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Several ruling and opposition parties on Sunday made a strong pitch for the passage of the women’s reservation bill during the five-day parliament session beginning Monday.

Several ruling and opposition parties on Sunday made a strong pitch for the passage of the women’s reservation bill during the five-day parliament session beginning Monday. At an all-party meeting convened by the government on the eve of the session, several leaders said the long-pending bill should be tabled and hoped that it could be passed with consensus. The bill seeks to reserve one-third of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. Also Read | India's Santiniketan, home to Rabindranath Tagore, makes it to UNESCO's World Heritage List However, some regional parties demanded quota for backward classes and Scheduled Castes within the overall reservation for women, sources said. This has been a key sticking point in the passage of the bill earlier. “All opposition parties demanded the passage of women’s reservation bill in this Parliament session,” Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said. BJP ally and NCP leader Praful Patel said, “We appeal to govt to pass the women’s reservation bill in this parliament session.” “We are hopeful that women’s reservation bill will be passed with consensus if tabled in parliament,” he added. Patel also said that the parliament will shift to the new building on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi on Tuesday. Also Read | Indian bank finds unique way to tackle loan defaulters, it involves chocolates... BJD leader Pinaki Misra said a new era should begin from the newparliament building and the women’s reservation bill should be passed. Chowdhury told reporters that the government had informed them it was a regular session of Parliament. “Only the government knows what its intention is. It may surprise everyone with some new agenda,” he said, adding that issues such as price rise, unemployment, and the situation on the border with China were raised by his party in the meeting. Several regional parties including the BJD and the BRS also pushed for tabling of the women’s reservation bill. Watch | From Afghanistan to India, meet ace singer of Ricky Kej's band- Abi K Safa × Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the deputy leader of the House in Lok Sabha; Union Minister Piyush Goyal, the leader of the House in Rajya Sabha; and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi represented the government in the meeting. Former prime minister and JD(S) leader H D Deve Gowda, DMK’s Kanimozhi, TDP’s Ram Mohan Naidu, TMC’s Derek O’Brien, AAP’s Sanjay Singh, BJD’s Sasmit Patra, BRS’ K Keshava Rao, YSR Congress Party’s V Vijayasai Reddy, RJD’s Manoj Jha and JD(U)’s Anil Hegde and SP’s Ram Gopal Yadav were also among those who attended the meeting. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

India: All-party meeting pushes for passage of women’s reservation bill in parliament's special session

<p>Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said that reservation should be given to the "oppressed, Dalit, socially and economically backward sections," however thinking that a community will progress by reservation alone is not true.</p>

<p>Gadkari was addressing an event in Nagpur to mark the 60th Foundation Day of Mahatma Phule Education Society.</p>

<p>At the event, a few leaders of the Mali community demanded tickets and more representation for themselves ahead of the State Assembly elections. Later, Gadkari urged them to look beyond the demand for reservation.</p>

<p>"When people fail to get a ticket on the basis of their works (kartutva), then they bring forward the caste card," Gadkari said.</p>

<p>"George Fernandes belonged to which caste? He did not belong to any caste...He was a Christian. Indira Gandhi did not come to power because of her caste...Ashok Gehlot became the Chief Minister of Rajasthan after people from other caste groups supported him," he claimed.</p>

<p>Gadkari went on to say that earlier people told him that women should get reservation.</p>

<p>"I said yes they should definitely get it. But I immediately asked them, did Indira Gandhi get reservation? For several years she ruled the country and became popular...I asked whether Vasundhara Raje and Sushma Swaraj got reservation?" asked Gadkari.</p>

<p>Gadkari also added that reservation should be given to those "Who are oppressed, Dalit, socially and economically backward sections of the society."</p>

<p>"However, it is not true if someone says that just by giving reservation the community will progress. This is also not true that the communities which got maximum reservation progressed due to it," he stated.&nbsp;</p>


Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said that reservation should be given to the "oppressed, Dalit, socially and economically backward sections," however thinking that a community will progress by reservation alone is not true.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said that reservation should be given to the "oppressed, Dalit, socially and economically backward sections," however thinking that a community will progress by reservation alone is not true. Gadkari was addressing an event in Nagpur to mark the 60th Foundation Day of Mahatma Phule Education Society. At the event, a few leaders of the Mali community demanded tickets and more representation for themselves ahead of the State Assembly elections. Later, Gadkari urged them to look beyond the demand for reservation. "When people fail to get a ticket on the basis of their works (kartutva), then they bring forward the caste card," Gadkari said. "George Fernandes belonged to which caste? He did not belong to any caste...He was a Christian. Indira Gandhi did not come to power because of her caste...Ashok Gehlot became the Chief Minister of Rajasthan after people from other caste groups supported him," he claimed. Gadkari went on to say that earlier people told him that women should get reservation. "I said yes they should definitely get it. But I immediately asked them, did Indira Gandhi get reservation? For several years she ruled the country and became popular...I asked whether Vasundhara Raje and Sushma Swaraj got reservation?" asked Gadkari. Gadkari also added that reservation should be given to those "Who are oppressed, Dalit, socially and economically backward sections of the society." "However, it is not true if someone says that just by giving reservation the community will progress. This is also not true that the communities which got maximum reservation progressed due to it," he stated.

Not true that just by giving reservation, community will progress: Nitin Gadkari

President's rule in J&K extended for 6 months. Elections in J&K likely in second half of 2019. Govt approves J&K reservation (Amendment) Bill. Govt approves J&K reservation(Amendment) Bill.

India Watch: President's Rule In J&K To Be Extended

reservation-bill

Reservation Bill, News on Reservation Bill, stories on Reservation Bill, articles on Reservation Bill, Reservation Bill stories at Wion, Reservation Bill news, Reservation Bill latest news