Neglected Marathas need job, education quotas

Vinayak Mete, member of the legislative council, says the Maratha community has been neglected by the political class for too long and requires reservation to lift its members out of economic hardship. Most of them are dependent on farming, which is not sustainable. In an interview to Sudhir Suryawanshi, Mete warned of a statewide agitation if the government does not grant quotas for Marathas in the forthcoming legislature session.

Why does the well-off Maratha community require reservation?
Vinayak Mete: Only a small percentage of people in the Maratha community are well-to-do and the rest live hand to mouth. Nearly 80% depend on farming, which depends on the monsoon. Most of those who are studying must help their parents in the fields and so have little time to study.

Infrastructure and the quality of teaching is poor. Reservation will give them an opportunity to shine. Most people in the community are hard working, but they have remained poor due to lack of opportunity. If people understand the situation they will not oppose reservation for Marathas.

What would happen if the state does not grant reservation?
It will be a disaster. If Marathas are deprived of employment in government service, parents will not encourage children to pursue education. Rather, they will push them into farming. But farming is not sustainable, like we can see in the increasing number of suicides. Joblessness will result in frustration among the youth and lead to anger against the government.

How can reservation change the situation?
Employment for even one member can change the family’s financial situation. They would not have to borrow money at high interest rates. Otherwise, they are simply weighed down repaying their debts. This has to change and reservation can help bring about a change.

Since the inception of Maharashtra, a majority of ministers have been Marathas. Why then has the community been reduced to relying on reservation?
The tragedy is that Maratha leaders have been more concerned about the minorities than the majority community. So we have changed our strategy and will vote for the party that will grant us reservation. The political leaders cannot take us for granted any more.

What has been the outcome of the committee that was set up on this issue?
Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan set up a committee, headed by industries minister Narayan Rane, recently. Committee members have been touring the state to understand the problems, the need for reservation and the differences between the other backward classes (OBCs) and the Marathas. We have asked people to submit their suggestions to the committee, to consolidate our demand. We are looking forward to a positive report and hope that the chief minister will act promptly.