Context: 

Violence erupted in Jalna, Maharashtra, due to renewed tensions over the Maratha reservation issue.

Timeline of Maratha Reservation Issue:

• November 2018: Maharashtra government approves reservation for Marathas under the Socially and Educationally Backward Class Act, based on the Backward Class Commission’s findings led by M G Gaikwad.
• June 2019: The Bombay High Court upholds the constitutional validity of the Maratha quota under the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act, 2018. 
  • It reduces the quota from 16% to 12% in education and 13% in government jobs, following the recommendations of the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission.
• May 2021: A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, strikes down the provisions of the Maharashtra law providing reservation to the Maratha community. 
  • The decision is made on the grounds that it exceeds the 50% quota limit set by the court in its 1992 Indra Sawhney (Mandal) judgment.
• November 2022: After the Supreme Court upholds the 10% quota for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), the Maharashtra state government allows economically weaker members of the Maratha community to benefit from the EWS quota until the issue of Maratha reservation is resolved.

About Maratha:

• Diverse Group: The Marathas comprise various castes, including peasants and landowners, making up approximately 33% of Maharashtra’s population.
• Historical Warrior Caste: Historically, the Marathas have been identified as a ‘warrior’ caste known for their substantial land holdings.
• Political Representation: Since the establishment of Maharashtra state in 1960, 12 out of 20 chief ministers, including Eknath Shinde, have been from the Maratha community.

Root Causes of Maratha Reservation Demand:

• Hinterland Origin: The demand for Maratha reservation has its roots in the underdeveloped areas of Marathwada and other regions in Maharashtra.
• Core Agitating Districts: Districts like Beed, Parbhani, Nanded, Aurangabad, and Jalna in Marathwada have been the epicenters of the agitation, and the movement subsequently spread to other parts of the state.
• Economic Underdevelopment: Many of these areas face economic and industrial underdevelopment, exacerbating the challenges faced by the local population. Consistent droughts compound these issues.
• Lack of Industrial Growth: Unlike western Maharashtra, Marathwada lacks substantial industrial development, leaving residents with limited employment opportunities beyond agriculture.
• Agricultural Unsustainability: As agriculture becomes increasingly unsustainable, rural youth in Marathwada have limited options, leading to migration or involvement in aggressive political activism, often financially supported by certain political parties or leaders.
• Government Job Aspirations: With a scarcity of private sector jobs, youth in Marathwada focus on securing government jobs through competitive examinations. As a result, the demand for reservations in these jobs becomes a prominent issue.

News Source: The Indian Express