Maharashtra News: OBC Groups Approach Bombay HC Seeking Urgent Hearing Against GR Issuing Kunbi Caste Certificates To Marathas; Suicide Cases Highlight Reservation Tensions
**Mumbai: OBC Organisations Seek Urgent Hearing on Maharashtra Government’s Kunbi Caste Certificate Decision for Marathas**
Several organisations representing the Other Backward Classes (OBC) on Monday sought an urgent hearing on a batch of petitions challenging the Maharashtra government’s decision to issue Kunbi caste certificates to members of the Maratha community from the Marathwada region, enabling them to avail reservation benefits.
The petitioners contended that this move has caused significant distress within the community, with reports of seven youth suicides linked to fears of losing seats in education and government jobs reserved for OBCs.
### Court Proceedings
The pleas were mentioned before a bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad, which posted the matter for hearing on October 6. Senior counsel Anil Anturkar, representing one of the petitioners, urged the court to take up the matter urgently.
He pointed out that the registry had initially listed the matter for October 12 but requested an earlier date, stating:
“The Maratha community, which is politically influential, has been granted reservation. We have challenged the validity of this government resolution (GR).”
The court clarified that the date was assigned based on communication received via email, noting:
“There seems to be some miscommunication. Hearing can’t happen before October 6.”
### Background on Hearing Schedule
Earlier this week, the petitions were scheduled for hearing before a bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Sandesh Patil. However, Justice Patil recused himself from the matter, prompting Anturkar to mention the case before the chief justice’s bench.
### Petitions Filed by OBC Organisations
Five different petitions have been filed by OBC organisations and representatives, including:
– Kunbi Sena
– Maharashtra Mali Samaj Mahasangh
– Ahir Suvarnkar Samaj Sanstha
– Sadanand Mandalik
– Maharashtra Nabhik Mahamandal
These groups contend that issuing Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas effectively places them under the OBC category, thereby reducing the reservation share available to existing OBC communities.
### Suicide Cases Linked to Reservation Fears
Earlier this month, Bharat Karad, 35, from Renapur taluka in Latur district, allegedly died by suicide by jumping into the Manjara River. His family attributed the extreme step to his fear that OBC reservations would be impacted by the government resolution issued on September 2.
Similarly, a 48-year-old daily-wage worker, Gorakh Devadkar, was found hanging in his house in Beed district. His family stated that he was distressed over the Maratha community’s encroachment on OBC reservation benefits.
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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtra-news-obc-groups-approach-bombay-hc-seeking-urgent-hearing-against-gr-issuing-kunbi-caste-certificates-to-marathas-suicide-cases-highlight-reservation-tensions
