OBC Protests in Maharashtra: Government Concedes to Demands, Hunger Strikes Continue

Strategic Insights -

Thousands of members of Other Backward Classes (OBC) in Maharashtra have been protesting against the state government's decision to include Marathas with Kunbi certificates in the OBC category, which could compromise their own reservation. The OBC agitation in Nagpur commenced two days after Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil broke his indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan, supported by nearly 30,000 protesters. The OBC protesters led by the National OBC Mahamanch withdrew their chain hunger strike, started six days ago, after the state government agreed to concede to 12 of their 14 demands, including not to include Marathas in the OBC quota and not to directly issue them Kunbi certificates.

Key Takeaways:

  • The OBC protesters withdrew their chain hunger strike in Nagpur after the state government agreed to concede to 12 of their 14 demands, including not to include Marathas in the OBC quota and not to directly issue them Kunbi certificates.
  • The protesters' demands include immediate financial assistance to farmers facing floods, 100 percent subsidy to OBC students in professional courses, and increase in the number of students for scholarships for overseas studies.
  • The state government has assured protesters that their quota will not be touched, but the implementation of the Hyderabad gazette, which facilitates more Marathas' entry into the OBC category, remains a cause for worry.
  • Protesters in many districts across the state, including Pune, Ahilyanagar, Beed, Dharashiv, Washim, Bhiwandi, Solapur, and Ratnagiri, continue to hold protests, burning copies of the Government Resolution (GR) issued on Tuesday, allowing the implementation of the Hyderabad gazette.
  • An indefinite hunger strike is ongoing at Antarwali Sarathi village, in Jalna, by four OBC activists since September 1, demanding the withdrawal of the GR.

Statistics:

  • The OBC protesters started their hunger strike six days ago, on September 1.
  • The state government agreed to concede to 12 of the 14 demands of the OBC protesters.
  • The protesters' demands include immediate financial assistance to farmers facing floods, worth $____ (amount not specified in the article).
  • The subsidy for OBC students in professional courses will increase by 100 percent.
  • The government plans to increase the number of students for scholarships for overseas studies from the existing 75 to 200.
  • The loan limit for economic development corporations related to OBC, VJNT, and SBC communities will increase from the current Rs.1 lakh to Rs.15 lakh.

Sources:

  • HT Pune
  • Government Resolution (GR) issued on Tuesday, allowing the implementation of the Hyderabad gazette