Maratha, Kunbi is one caste: Maharashtra Backward Class Commission Report

Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission (MSBCC) report stated that Maratha and Kunbi are one community and not different.  

The report further tells that the Kunbi and Maratha belong to one and same caste which is Kunbi. Kunbi caste is already given reservation under Other Backward Classes (OBC). Therefore, the Maratha community should have been categorised as a backward class, the report said. 

The backward class commission appointed by Maharashtra government was asked to submit its report on the socio-economic status of Maratha community. The nine-member commission, headed by retired Justice MG Gaikwad, submitted its report to the government in November 2018. 

The backward commission report said that the Kunbi is an agricultural community. The report said that the Maratha is not caste itself but consists of Marathi-speaking people whose caste is Kunbi and they are highly dependent on agriculture.  

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The report on Tuesday was given to the petitioners challenging 16 per cent reservation granted to Maratha community. The next hearing for the matter will be on February 6.