Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis chaired a meeting with Other Backward Classes (OBC) leaders in Mumbai on Saturday. The delegation demanded immediate withdrawal of the Government Resolution (GR) issued on September 2, recognising the records of the Hyderabad Gazette as a valid document for issuing Kunbi certificates for the Maratha community.
OBC strongman Chhagan Bhujbal (NCP), as well as BJP ministers Chandrashekar Bawankule, Pankaja Munde, and Atul Save, were joined by nearly 35 other representatives of the community in the meeting. The delegation members also alleged that forged and over-written documents were being used to obtain certificates. The state has warned of stern legal action and punishment against officials found issuing false caste certificates or applicants using forged documents to obtain the caste certificate. After the meeting, OBC sub-committee chairman and Maharashtra revenue minister Bawankule said, “The OBC sub-committee will verify such cases and documents before the government takes a call.”
Reacting to the development, Maratha activist Manoj Jarange said that one cannot withdraw the GR in such a manner, merely because a section of community members are pressurising the government to do so.
Senior BJP leader Bawankule claimed that GR does not ensure “sarsakhat” (across the board) certificates for Maratha community. “We will ensure that GR is not misused to obtain a caste certificate,” the minister added.
CM urged the OBC to withdraw the agitation
The OBC leaders have called for a protest rally on October 10. CM Devendra Fadnavis urged them to consider withdrawing the stir. “Many farmers’ families are suffering due to damage by excessive rains. Taking this situation into consideration, Fadnavis has asked the OBC leaders to rethink their decision of protest,” revenue minister Chandrashekar Bawankule said. However, it is learnt that the OBC leaders are firm on their plans.
