Large number of members from Other Backward Class (OBC) communities across Maharashtra took to the streets of Nagpur on Friday, demanding immediate cancellation of the State Government’s order dated September 2, allowing the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to members of the Maratha community.

 

The demonstrators warned that the move, if implemented, would erode the quota rights of existing OBC communities. The protest, organised under the banner of the ‘Sakal OBC Maha Morcha,’ commenced from Yashwant Stadium and culminated at Samvidhan Square after a three-kilometre march through central Nagpur. Participants arrived from various parts of Vidarbha and other regions of the State, holding placards and portraits of social reformers while chanting slogans such as “Mahayuti Sarkar cannot take away OBC rights” and “Ek Mission – OBC Arakshan.” The rally, spearheaded by the Sakal OBC Sanghatana, an umbrella body representing several OBC castes, was aimed at pressing the State Government to withdraw the Government Resolution (GR) that permits issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas who can establish

 

OBC antecedents, thereby making them eligible for reservation benefits in education and Government employment. Leading the protest, Congress MLA and prominent OBC leader Vijay Wadettiwar delivered a scathing speech at Samvidhan Square, accusing the State Government of betraying the OBC community. “This Government has backstabbed the very voters who supported it in the last elections. The September 2 order is an encroachment on OBC rights and will not be tolerated,” he declared. Wadettiwar criticised Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil for his demand to include Marathas under the OBC category, asserting that the two communities are historically and socially distinct. “The Kunbi uses a sickle that reaps crops, while the Maratha uses a sword meant for warfare. They cannot be treated as one,” he remarked.

 

The MLA further argued that the OBC category already comprises 374 castes and 497 sub-castes competing for limited reserved seats, and the inclusion of Marathas would severely reduce opportunities for the original OBC communities. He cited previous committee reports that found the Maratha community to be neither socially, economically, nor educationally backward, and therefore ineligible for reservation. Wadettiwar also condemned the alleged disparity in the certification process, claiming that while genuine

 

OBC members wait months to obtain caste certificates after furnishing extensive documentation, Marathas could now secure Kunbi certificates “within hours” based on simple declarations. He further alleged that the fallout of the September 2 order was already visible, with several local government and agricultural assistant posts being filled by Marathas possessing OBC certificates from the Marathwada region,

 

to the detriment of local OBC youths. At the onset, the protesters started gathering at the Samvidhan Square from 10 am. A ‘OBC Shahiri Jalsa’ was organised at the venue for the protesters where songs depicting the condition of OBC community and enlightning about work of several social reformers were being sang. Other prominent leaders like Laxman Hake, Mahadev Jankar, Anil Deshmukh and others were present for the programme. The morcha concluded peacefully at Samvidhan Square but sent a clear message to the State Government:

 

The OBC communities would not accept any decision that compromises their constitutional rights to reservation. What is the issue? The Maharashtra Government’s resolution allows individuals from the Maratha community, specifically those belonging to the Marathwada region, which was once part of the Hyderabad State, to apply for Kunbi caste certificates. Kunbis are recognised as an OBC group in Maharashtra and are eligible for reservation benefits in education, employment and government schemes. Under the new GR, Marathas who can produce documentary proof of Kunbi lineage (such as records in the old Hyderabad Gazette or family documents) can be classified as Kunbi and avail OBC benefits. The decision came after Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil held a hunger strike demanding reservation for the Maratha community under the OBC category.