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Synopsis

A new writ petition has been lodged in the Bombay High Court, challenging the decision of the Maharashtra State Assembly that granted 10% reservation to the Maratha Community under the Socially and Economically Backward Class Community (SBEC).

The Maharashtra State Commission for Backward Classes (MSCBC), led by Retired Justice Sunil Shukre, recently submitted a report favouring the reservation for the Maratha community.

The cabinet approved this recommendation, and a bill for 10% reservation for Marathas was tabled and approved in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on 20th February.

The petition has been filed by Advocate Jaishree Laxamanrao Patil, Advocate Gunratan Sadavarte, Shankarrao Linge, and Rajaram Patil.

The petition seeks to quash the report submitted by Retired Justice Sunil Shukre, contending that the recommendation for reservation for Marathas violates the law by exceeding the prescribed limits for reservations.

 The new writ petition has sought a stay implementation of the law. It also sought a stay on any advertisements for jobs and educational courses under the specified quota for the Maratha community.

Simultaneously, two other Public Interest Litigations (PILs) have been filed in the high court challenging the state government's decision to grant reservation to the Marathas.

One of the PILs is filed by Mangesh Sasane, the Chairman of the Other Backward Class Welfare Community. Sasane claims that the Maharashtra Government's decision to include Marathas in the Other Backward Class (OBC) category is eating up the reservations meant for OBCs.

Another PIL filed by Advocate Ashish Mishra has challenged the appointment of Retired Justice Sunil B Shukre as the Chairman, as well as other members of the Maharashtra State Commission for Backward Classes (MSCBC), alleging a conflict of interest.

Simultaneously, Maratha activist Manoj Jarenge Patil and members of the Maratha community have been engaged in protests in the state advocating for reservation. A high court division bench is also hearing a petition against these protests.

Case title: Jaishree Laxamanrao Pati & Ors vs State of Maharashtra