Pankaja Munde Stresses Maratha Quotas Should Not Dilute OBC Share

Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde, a prominent OBC leader, sparked a heated debate at a Dussehra rally in Sawargaon Ghat, Beed district, by supporting Maratha reservations but firmly opposing their allocation from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota. “I favor Maratha reservations, but don’t take it from OBCs’ plates—my community is already starving,” Munde declared, addressing a charged crowd amid rising tensions over the state’s reservation policy.

The controversy stems from a September 2 government resolution (GR) by the Devendra Fadnavis administration, allowing eligible Marathas to apply for Kunbi caste certificates to access OBC quota benefits. The decision, prompted by a five-day hunger strike by Maratha activist Manoj Jarange in Mumbai, has ignited unrest among OBC communities, who fear dilution of their reservation share. Munde, the Environment and Climate Change Minister, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the struggles of OBCs. “My father, Gopinath Munde, supported Maratha quotas, and so do I, but not at the cost of OBCs’ survival,” she said, highlighting her community’s economic hardships.

Munde’s speech took a broader tone, urging the eradication of the “demon of casteism” from society. Reflecting on recent floods that devastated Beed and other regions, she noted how communities united across caste lines to aid victims, advocating for a society that prioritizes humanity over division. “Floods showed us caste boundaries can crumble. We need leadership that fosters such unity,” she said, pledging government support for affected farmers on behalf of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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The minister also called for self-respect and resistance against anti-social elements, reaffirming her commitment to public welfare regardless of her political position. “Whether in opposition or government, I’ll always fight for the common people,” she asserted, drawing cheers from the rally attendees.

Adding weight to her stance, Pankaja’s cousin, NCP leader Dhananjay Munde, also present at the event, echoed her opposition to carving Maratha quotas from OBC allocations. “We’re happy Marathas got reservations, but taking from one community to give to another is unacceptable,” said the former minister from Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction, signaling a rare alignment within the politically divided Munde family.

The rally, held against the backdrop of Dussehra’s symbolic victory of good over evil, saw Munde invoke Goddess Durga to “strengthen her” in battling caste-based divisions. Her remarks come at a critical juncture, with Maharashtra’s reservation debate intensifying ahead of civic polls. The GR’s implementation has sparked protests from OBC groups, who argue it undermines their hard-won affirmative action benefits. Meanwhile, Maratha activists continue to press for inclusion in the OBC category, citing economic backwardness. As the state navigates this delicate balance, Munde’s call for equitable solutions without pitting communities against each other underscores the complex social and political dynamics shaping Maharashtra’s future.

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