Prakash Ambedkar Opposes Maratha Reservation Demand from OBC Quota

New Delhi: Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Ambedkar has strongly opposed the demand for granting reservation to the Maratha community from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota. He criticized political parties for failing to clarify their positions on this issue, expressing concerns about the potential impact on OBC communities.

During a recent yatra, Ambedkar recalled raising questions regarding the stance of political parties on the demand made by Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil, who has been advocating for Marathas' inclusion in the OBC category to avail reservation benefits. Ambedkar stated, "When we had taken out the Yatra, we had asked a question - Jarange Patil demanded that the Maratha community should be granted reservation from OBC. So, political parties should make their stand on this clear. They did not clear their stand. CM called a meeting, but the stand was not cleared."

He highlighted that senior political leaders, including NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray, have expressed support for Jarange Patil's demand. "Sharad Pawar gave a statement in Ratnagiri and supported Jarange Patil's demand. He has also said that smaller communities will also have to be included carefully. Uddhav Thackeray too took the same stand," Ambedkar noted.

Ambedkar warned that the OBC community currently lacks leadership or a political party willing to defend their rights, except for the VBA. "So, now I think OBC has no leader or party standing for them, except us, to fight to secure their reservation. The OBC organisations are asking us to fight this," he said.

Reaffirming his commitment to OBC rights, Ambedkar emphasized, "We stand with the OBC; their reservation should stay with them. Marathas should not be included in the OBC reservation. We also oppose the 55 lakh certificates that have been distributed by the government."

He urged the government to address the demands of the Maratha community separately, without encroaching on the rights of the OBCs. "If the government wants to give reservation to anyone else, then it is between the government and them, but Marathas should not get reservation from the OBC quota," he asserted.

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