Social Policy & Administration

Why are the Marathas mobilising now?

Why are the Marathas mobilising now?
Protest in support of activist Manoj Jarange over Maratha reservation issue. (Image credit: ANI)

There is a need to look at the crisis of dominance to understand the current uprising.

Author

Sumeet Mhaskar, Professor, Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India.

Summary

The Maratha mobilisation for reservation in higher education and public employment has reached its peak with the protesters issuing an ultimatum to the government. The Marathas desperately want a reservation that can stand in a court of law.

While Marathas have organised mass demonstrations since 2016, it must be noted that from 1953 to 2008, three National Backward Classes Commissions and three Maharashtra State Backward Classes Commissions rejected the Maratha demand to be included in the OBC list.

So, what changed in the past two decades which compelled the Marathas to organise massive rallies and even burn the houses of elected Maratha representatives over the reservation question?

Published in: The Hindu

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