Maharashtra Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, chair of the state cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservation, firmly stated that decisions on issuing Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas are being implemented with no possibility of reversal. Speaking after a sub-committee meeting in Mumbai, Vikhe Patil addressed concerns raised by OBC leader and minister Chhagan Bhujbal, promising to clarify “misunderstandings” in person.

The government resolution (GR), issued on September 2 following activist Manoj Jarange’s hunger strike, enables Marathas to claim OBC quota benefits using Hyderabad and Satara gazetteer records, sparking apprehension among OBC communities over potential quota dilution.

The sub-committee, including ministers Chandrakant Patil, Girish Mahajan, and others, reviewed the GR’s implementation, consulting divisional commissioners and district collectors on certificate scrutiny processes. Vikhe Patil announced that cases against Maratha protesters will be withdrawn by month-end, with weekly reports from district authorities.

Compensation for families of 96 deceased protesters has been disbursed, and job assurances for their kin in state transport and industrial corporations are in progress. Additionally, a report on fines imposed on protesters’ vehicles during the Mumbai agitation is under review, with a separate sub-committee formed to address OBC concerns and foster social harmony.

Responding to Bhujbal’s claim that the GR was issued hastily without cabinet approval, Vikhe Patil emphasized that decisions followed multiple sub-committee meetings and were made without external pressure. He acknowledged Jarange’s threat to resume agitation from September 17 but stressed that implementation is underway, though procedural timelines must be respected.

The minister’s commitment to dialogue with OBC stakeholders and the formation of a dedicated sub-committee signal efforts to balance competing interests, as Maharashtra navigates this contentious issue amid rising social and political tensions.

Also Read: Jarange: Marathas Deserved Quota Since 1881, Bhujbal Blocking OBC Leaders

Also Read: Bhujbal Says Maratha Quota GR Has Opened a ‘Pandora’s Box’