Not a panacea – Demands for Reservation by the Maratha Community in Maharashtra: A Tale of Socioeconomic Churning and Intra-Community Variations | 28 November 2023 | UPSC Daily Editorial Analysis

What's the article about?

• It talks about the issue of demand of reservations in education and public employment by the major dominant communities across India. The case study of Maratha Community is presented here.

Relevance:

• GS1: Indian society: Caste system
• GS2: Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections of the population by the Centre and States and the Performance of these Schemes; Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions and Bodies constituted for the Protection and Betterment of these Vulnerable Sections

Context:

• Across India, a wave of socioeconomic churning is evident in the rising demands for reservation by communities traditionally considered politically dominant and economically well-off.
• The Maratha community's agitation for reservation in Maharashtra exemplifies this trend.
• Despite their political clout and economic influence, significant disparities exist within the Maratha community, fueling resentment and fueling calls for reservation.

Analysis:

• Maratha Community's Political and Economic Dominance: 
  • The Maratha community has held substantial political power in Maharashtra, with over 35% of MLAs since 1967 and 12 of 18 Chief Ministers.
  • They have also wielded economic power in rural areas due to their landholding dominance, controlling over 75% of cultivable land and owning the majority of sugar factories.
• Socioeconomic Disparities within the Maratha Community:
  • Despite their relative dominance, the Maratha community exhibits significant internal variations in income and educational attainment.
  • The IHDS survey revealed a stark contrast between the highest quintile, with an average per capita income of ₹86,750, and the lowest quintile, earning one-tenth of that amount.
• Agrarian Crisis and Rising Resentment:
  • The persistent agrarian crisis in Maharashtra has exacerbated the plight of poorer Marathas, predominantly engaged in rural livelihoods.
  • This disparity, coupled with the prolonged agricultural crisis, has fueled resentment and fueled calls for reservation.
• Government's Response and OBC Backlash:
  • In response to the Maratha agitation, the government established a committee headed by Justice Sandeep Shinde to expedite the issuance of Kunbi certificates to all Marathas, enabling them to avail reservations under the OBC category.
  • However, this move sparked tensions among OBC leaders, including those within the ruling coalition, who demanded the committee's dissolution.
• Need for Comprehensive Survey and Rethinking Reservation:
  • Instead of knee-jerk reactions to agitations, a comprehensive socioeconomic survey across states is crucial to assess the implementation of reservation, its outcomes, and identify communities genuinely deserving of reservation under constitutional provisions.
  • Moreover, with government jobs shrinking as a proportion of overall employment, reservation cannot be a panacea for the upliftment of the Maratha community's poorer sections.

Way Forward:

• The Maratha community's demand for reservation highlights the complex socioeconomic dynamics in India. While disparities within the Maratha community exist, addressing them through reservation may not be the most effective solution. A comprehensive approach that considers the broader socioeconomic context and the changing nature of employment is essential for ensuring equitable development and social justice.