Maratha Reservation: Maharashtra government requests CJI to set up larger bench

The Uddhav Thackeray government has filed an application before the Chief Justice of India (CJI) to immediately set up a constitutional bench to facilitate a final decision on the Maratha reservation issue. This is the second time the Maharashtra government has requested that a larger bench be formed to hear the matter. 

Earlier, the Maharashtra government had filed a vacation application seeking the cancellation of the interim stay imposed by the Supreme Court on the implementation of the reservation to Maratha community in government jobs and education. 

Ashok Chavan, Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) Minister and chairperson of the cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservation, earlier informed that the state government will request the apex court to constitute a large bench to hear the matter. 

The application was filed by advocate Sachin Patil on behalf of the government. The Maharashtra government has urged the Supreme Court to withdraw the stay imposed on the implementation of Maratha reservation. 

The interim stay on the implementation of Maratha reservation provided under Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC) category has affected recruitment and admission process of the state government. It has also affected the future of thousands of students from the Maratha community. 

The Maratha outfits in Maharashtra have been successful in maintaining pressure on the state government. They have also protested against the Uddhav Thackeray government in parts of the state. 

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra has tried to corner the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) over the issue saying that they are not serious about providing reservation to Maratha community. 

Maharashtra BJP President Chandrakant Patil recently said that the MVA government there was widespread anger among Maratha students. He accused the MVA government on not pursuing the matter seriously in the Supreme Court. 

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