Bombay HC Issues Notice to State Govt Over Maratha Quota Decision

The Bombay High Court has issued a notice to the Maharashtra government seeking its response on a PIL filed against the decision to grant 10 per cent quota in jobs and education to the Maratha community.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Arif S Doctor has directed the state to file its response within four weeks.

The bench has also permitted intervention applications filed by beneficiaries of the Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) Act 2024. On February 20, the Maharashtra legislature unanimously passed the Maharashtra State Socially and Educationally Backward Bill 2024, providing 10 per cent reservation for the Maratha community in education and government jobs.

Last week, advocate Jaishri Patil and others filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the state government’s move, contending that such a decision was made by the government and opposition for the sake of “dirty politics”. The plea characterized the move as “destruction of the basic structure of the Constitution”, asserting that the “politically motivated” decision was taken jointly by the state government and opposition without adhering to the rules of fair play and due process.

The plea urged the Court to declare the Maharashtra government’s decision as “unconstitutional” as it breaches the 50 per cent limit on reservation without considering Supreme Court guidelines.