Mumbai, November 19: The Bombay High Court will on November 21 hear a petition demanding Maratha reservation. The Court has also asked State Government of Maharashtra to file a response with the state backward commission report. On Sunday, Maharashtra cabinet accepted the backward class commission’s report for Maratha reservation. With this, the state government cleared the way for reservations for the Maratha community in jobs and educational institutions, under a new category – Socially and Educationally Backward Class.

The Maratha community in the state constitutes over 30% of the state’s population. The decision came days after the State Backward Class Commission submitted its report stating that the Marathas are socially, economically and educationally backward. The commission had recommended the creation of the SEBC category. Maratha Reservation: Commission Submits Report to Maharashtra Government.

While speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis informed that the quantum of the reservation will be fixed by the cabinet sub-committee assigned to chalk out technical aspects of the bill (granting quota) which will be tabled in the coming session. Maratha Reservation Protests Turn Violent in Pune's Pimpri, Vehicles Burnt.

The Maratha community has been demanding 16% reservation in jobs and educational institutions. The Maratha community has been demanding reservations for a long time, and its agitation took a violent turn in July and August this year. According to reports, a socially and educationally backward class can be extended benefits of reservation under Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution, and in view of such extraordinary and exceptional condition, the state government is liable to take action, the report has said, sources maintained.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 19, 2018 12:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).