Will help Marathas without injustice to OBCs, says Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said his Government was positive towards fulfilling the demands of the Maratha community on the reservation issue, and will continue to take decisions in its interest while also ensuring that the OBCs do not face injustice.

He also said the Government will take decisions on the quota issue that can stand the test of the Constitution and courts, and survive legal scrutiny. According to Fadnavis, rising fuel prices were linked to the global energy crisis, and the rates would stabilise once the international situation improves.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting a compressed biogas plant at Bhandewadi in Nagpur, Fadnavis was asked about Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange’s indefinite hunger strike, which he launched in Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district on Saturday morning. This time, he is fasting in the open without any canopy or protective shelter despite the intense heat.

Jarange has renewed his demand for the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to members of the Maratha community to avail the OBC quota, implementation of the Hyderabad and Satara Gazette records, and withdrawal of cases registered against Maratha protesters who participated in the reservation agitation.

Fadnavis said, “The Government has always been positive on this issue. Whenever difficulties arose, the Government took decisions. The Government’s stand is transparent and positive, and it will remain positive in the future as well.”

The CM said his Government works for all communities and does not create conflict between social groups. “The decisions taken by Eknath Shinde and me for the Maratha community have never been taken before in history. We will continue to take decisions in the community’s interest,” he said.

However, he stressed that any decision on reservation-related issues must be in line with the Constitution and court directives.

“We have to follow the Constitution and the directions given by the high court and the Supreme Court. A decision taken outside that framework may bring publicity, but it will not survive legal scrutiny,” he said.