Maharashtra News: 10% Maratha Quota Sparks Backlash, Activists Warn Of Impact On Medical Education And Student Exodus

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government's decision to include a 10% reservation for the Maratha community under the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) category has drawn sharp criticism from activists and student aspirants, who argue that the move is unfairly keeping meritorious students out of medical education.

Dr Anil Ladhad, a senior advocate and activist, highlighted that the Maratha reservation issue has been contentious for years. "A similar attempt was made in 2018 when the government granted 16% reservation to Marathas. Following an agitation, the case went to the Supreme Court, which constituted a six-judge special bench. After online hearings during the COVID-19 pandemic, we won the case, and the court reaffirmed the 50% cap on reservations," he said.

Despite this ruling, Dr Ladhad pointed out that political pressure led to the formation of the Backward Classes Commission to gather data on the community's backwardness. "It was nothing but a political eyewash. Within eight days, a committee chaired by a retired High Court judge submitted its report, and within six days, the report was approved. The government then pushed a 10% quota through the legislature. The case has been ongoing for 2-2.5 years, but even if the judiciary quashes it, the damage is already done," he added.

The reservation, which increases the quota beyond the Supreme Court-mandated limit, has raised concerns among students. "If a college has 100 seats, under the previous rule, 50 would go to reserved category students and 50 to merit-based candidates. Now, if the quota increases to 60, 10 deserving students lose out. In Maharashtra, where 3,800 medical seats are available, this translates to 380 students being deprived of their rightful opportunities," Dr Ladhad explained.

Parents and education activists have also criticised the move. Sudha Shenoy, a parent representative, expressed her frustration over the policy. "It is unacceptable that the government is forcing a reservation through legislation despite the Supreme Court’s annulment. This is not just about numbers; it’s about young students’ futures. By reducing merit-based seats, they are pushing students into private or foreign institutions, which are financially unfeasible for many families."

Critics argue that the loss is not merely academic but also financial and psychological. "Students who could have secured seats in top government colleges are now being forced into unwanted curriculums or lesser-known institutions. This is a huge setback for deserving candidates who have worked hard for their places," Dr Ladhad stated.

Adding to the controversy is the application of the creamy layer criteria within SEBC, which limits benefits for economically well-off Maratha students but does little to address the core issue of inadequate educational opportunities.

"This may be one of the reasons for the exodus of students to countries like Russia, Ukraine, and the Philippines for medical education. When opportunities are denied at home, students are left with no choice but to look elsewhere," Dr Ladhad added.