We are firmly behind Marathas: Shiv Sena

Mumbai: Shiv Sena on Saturday vowed to stand firmly behind the Maratha community if the state government’s decision to grant reservation to the community is challenged in the Supreme Court.

“No one should create obstacles now that the Marathas have been granted reservation without disturbing the already existing quota for other communities,” Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said, adding that his party will stand firmly behind the Marathas if someone tries to approach the apex court objecting to the reservation.

The Bombay high court on Thursday upheld the Maratha Reservation Bill saying that the state government is within its right to grant quota to Marathas under the Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) category. However, the high court directed the state government to bring down the reservation to 12-13 percent from the present 16 percent.

Following the high court judgment, a delegation of the Maratha community, led by Shiv Sena leader and state minister Eknath Shinde, met Mr Thackeray to thank him for his support. During the meeting, the delegation apprised Mr Thackeray about the possible efforts to challenge the high court’s verdict in the Supreme Court.

However, Mr Thackeray took a conciliatory approach and said, “One should not create any dispute between Maratha and non-Maratha communities by opposing the Maratha reservation. All should come together on this matter.”

Meanwhile, the government on Friday filed a caveat in the Supreme Court. The caveat was filed to ensure that no judgement is passed without hearing the state government.