Muslims won't get reservation in Maharashtra, Maratha reservation gets go ahead

As expected the BJP-Shiv Sena government in Maharshtra was quick enough to bring in the Maratha Reservation Bill in the Maharashtra Assembly on Tuesday just a day before assembly's winter session gets over. However, it got passed amid uproar from the opposition Congress and NCP seeking explanation from the government for not bringing the Muslim reservation bill.

The opposition staged a walk-out and the politically-sensitive Maratha reservation bill was passed, now government is planning to get it passed the bill in council by Wednesday so that they can inform the court and implement 16 per cent reservation for Marathas in government jobs and educational institutes in the state.

The previous Congress-NCP government had brought in ordinance to give 16 per cent reservation in government jobs and educational institutes in Maharashtra to Marathas and 5 per cent reservation to Muslims.

However, it was challenged in Bombay High Court and the high court stayed the Maharashtra government's decision to give reservation to the Maratha community in public service jobs and educational institutions. The HC also stayed the state government's decision to provide 5 per cent reservation to Muslims in government jobs, while allowing their quota in educational institutions. The ordinance has validity for 6 months it was to get over by December 25 this year. Now after passing the bill in Maharashtra legislative council the government can inform the court and implement the marahtha reservation, a long standing demand by all political parties.

However, now issue is being raised on governments intentions on implementing muslim reservation . the high court only had stayed reservations for muslims in government jobs and had allowed reservation in educational institutes but once the validity of ordinance will get over Muslims won't be able to get reservation given by the previous government.

The opposition is questioning the government's motive. "The Fadnavis government deliberately didn't bring in Muslim reservation, even the court didn't stay the reservation for Muslims in education, government should have brought in muslim reservation bill along with Maratha reservation bill," leader of opposition in the assembly and Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe said.

The NCP and MIM are accusing the government for playing communal politics. "Since the time Modi government has come to power, we are seeing supporting idea of hindu rashtra, glorification of Nathuram Godse, BJP's real ideology has come to the light now," NCP leader Ajit Pawar said.

The Fadanavis government remained tightlipped over its intentions on what they are planning to do with Muslim reservation.

Even though Congress and NCP are unlikely to oppose Maratha reservation bill in legislative council ( the upper house) but it is clear that they are planning the hit up politics on scrapping the quota for muslims. The fadanvis government will also have to fight a legal battle to make Maratha reservation survive as those who had challenged the ordinance in the court are planning to do the same once bill is passed in legislative council.