Mumbai, August 7, 2024: In a development of far-reaching importance, the Maharashtra state government has accepted the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission’s recommendations to include the Kunjada caste within the Muslim community in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, stated the Indian Express. The decision is part of the 56th report by the commission, which addressed six cases in total.
The inclusion of the Kunjada caste aligns it with other Muslim castes already in the OBC category, such as Mali, Bagwan, and Rain. This decision comes amid allegations from the ruling BJP during the Lok Sabha election campaign that the Congress party was planning to add Muslims to the OBC list.
Additionally, the report included other significant changes. The Kevat-Tagwali, Kevat-Tagwale, Tagwale, Tagwali, and Tagwala have been added to the Nomadic Tribes (B) category. The Chunewala and Chunewale castes have been added along with the Chunari caste in the OBC list. The Hadgar caste has been included in the Special Backward Classes, and the Lad Vanjari caste has been classified as a sub-caste of Vanjari in Nomadic Tribes (D). Furthermore, the report has corrected a double mention of the Bhoyar caste in the OBC list.
The move has been seen in the political context, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing the Congress party of using reservations as a political tool. During a Lok Sabha campaign rally in Madhya Pradesh, he criticized the Congress for allegedly providing reservations based on religion, claiming it would undermine the OBC community’s share.
An official from the Other Backward Class welfare department emphasized that the decision was based on the commission’s recommendations and was a routine government procedure. “The recommendations made in the commission’s report have been discussed by the state government and accepted. We cannot comment on the political implications,” the official stated.
The state BJP spokesperson, Keshav Upadhyay, did not respond to calls for comments on the decision.
