November 6th 2023.
Mumbai: Senior Minister in Eknath Shinde’s Cabinet Chhagan Bhujbal and Maratha Quota Activist Manoj Jarange-Patil locked horns on Monday over the issue of Kunbi caste certificates to ‘all’ Marathas. Bhujbal used the phrase ‘Karenge ya marenge’ to express his resolve to fight for small caste groups within the OBC community. In response, Jarange-Patil said ‘Ladenge aur jeetenge’ to show the Maratha community's determination to get reservation.
Earlier in the day, an audio clip of Bhujbal had gone viral, in which the senior minister and NCP leader was heard saying, “It’s a do or die situation for us [OBCs] and we must raise our voice.” When asked about this, Jarange-Patil said that the Maratha's fight for reservation was peaceful and that it wouldn't be stopped, no matter how much pressure was built.
The OBC communities have been in a state of unrest over Jarange-Patil’s demand for Kunbi caste certificates to all Marathas. During the activist's nine-day fast, Bhujbal, a senior OBC leader, was targeted multiple times.
At a press conference in Beed after the audio clip went viral, Bhujbal said, “I’m not opposed to Maratha reservation. But it should be done within the constitutional limits.” He also reiterated his demand for a caste census.
In response to these demands, the state government gave in to Jarange-Patil’s demand and extended the scope of the Justic Shinde committee to define modalities to issue Kunbi certificates to all Marathas. Bhujbal’s outburst is being interpreted as the reaction to this decision from within the OBC community.
At the press conference, Bhujbal said, “Reservation is not a poverty alleviation programme. It is meant to create a level playing field. The OBC community got reservation after a fight of 70 years. Yet the OBC communities are still backward. We won’t oppose reservation for the Maratha community. But we want separate reservation for them.”
Bhujbal added that he was ready to fight along with the Maratha community for a separate quota. He also represented 375 small OBC castes, such as Mali, Koli, Dhangar, Vanjari, Teli, Tamboli, and Sali, and called for them to come together. To that end, Bhujbal announced an OBC rally at Ambad in Jalna district on November 17.
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