Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the state government will balance the long-pending demands of the Maratha community with the rights of Other Backward Classes (OBCs). After a cabinet subcommittee meeting in Nagpur, he explained that only Maratha applicants who provide genuine, verified documents proving Kunbi ancestry will get caste certificates.
He stressed that the OBC quota will stay intact. “No injustice will be done to OBCs. Verification will remain strict and transparent, based only on official records,” Bawankule said. Genealogy records, old land papers, and certificates from tehsil offices will hold decisive weight. Village committees and district authorities will check every application.
Bawankule also announced welfare measures for OBCs. The government will soon release nearly ₹3,688 crore to fund scholarships, hostels, and libraries. Of this, ₹1,200 crore will support student scholarships so young people from OBC families can continue their education without financial hurdles.
His remarks come amid rising tensions over the Maratha quota movement led by activist Manoj Jarange-Patil. Many Maratha families seek recognition as Kunbis to access OBC reservation benefits in education and jobs. OBC groups, however, fear their share will shrink if the certificate process turns lenient.
The government hopes that strict verification will calm both sides—offering Marathas a path forward while protecting OBC interests. Observers believe this balancing act will shape the political narrative as Maharashtra heads into elections, where caste quotas and community issues are set to dominate campaigns.
