Maharashtra government justifies reservations for Marathas and Muslims

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government today justified in the Bombay High Court its decision to provide reservations for Muslims and Marathas in jobs and educational institutions, saying that these communities are socially and economically backward.

The division bench headed by Chief Justice Mohit Shah is hearing a bunch of public interest litigation challenging the recent government notification announcing reservations.

"Maratha community was socially and economically backward and the decision to provide 16 per cent reservation for it was absolutely justified," said advocate general Darius Khambata.

The decision was based on the report of Narayan Rane committee, said Khambata.

Regarding Muslims, he said they too were socially and economically backward. While providing five per cent reservations to them, the government had taken into consideration recommendations of Rajinder Sachhar committee and Mahmoodur Rahman committee, both of which had sought reservations for the community, the advocate general said.

Khambata also clarified that those Muslims who are eligible for reservations under Other Backward Class category shall not get the benefit of reservations under the new quota.

Senior advocate Pradeep Sancheti, appearing for Youth for Equality, one of the petitioners, argued that as per the Supreme Court's guidelines, reservations cannot exceed 50 per cent.

Further, reservations can not be provided on the basis of religion, he added.

Sancheti also said the state government had not provided comparative data about population and backwardness of Muslims and Marathas vis a vis other communities. He also questioned government's decision to introduce reservations in a hurry in this year (when Assembly elections are due).

Other petitions have been filed by activists Ketan Tirodkar and Anil Thanekar, who contend that Marathas, a politically dominant community, are not backward.

The hearing will continue tomorrow.