NEW DELHI: Prakash Ambedkar, the chief of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), has alleged that “Nizami Marathas” are attempting to seize the quota reserved for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and has urged the OBC community to resist these efforts in the forthcoming Maharashtra assembly elections. Speaking at a public meeting in Jalna during his ‘Aaraskshan Bachao Yatra’, Ambedkar criticized the demands for Maratha reservations under the OBC category and accused certain Maratha leaders of trying to dilute the existing OBC reservation.
On Tuesday, at a rally in Jalna, Ambedkar claimed that the OBC reservation system was under threat from the “Nizami Marathas” and stressed the importance of protecting these quotas. He referenced the historical context of the Nizam’s rule over the Marathwada region to highlight his concerns.
“Nizami Marathas are trying to snatch the OBC reservation,” he said.
Prakash Ambedkar also commented on activist Manoj Jarange‘s campaign for Maratha reservations in government jobs and education under the OBC category. He accused Jarange of making unreasonable demands that undermine the rights of the OBC community.
He noted that the state government had enacted a law in February to provide a 10 percent quota under a separate category for the Maratha community. This move has faced opposition from OBC leaders, including cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who argue that it weakens the existing system for backward communities.
“Maratha leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties are planning to undermine the OBC reservation system after the upcoming assembly elections,” Ambedkar claimed.
The VBA chief called on the OBC community to resist these plans during the assembly polls scheduled for October. He emphasized the potential jeopardy faced by the OBC reservation and appealed for strong representation in the state assembly.
“The OBC reservation is at stake,” he said. “Send 100 members from the OBC and VBA to the Maharashtra assembly to foil the ‘plan’ of diluting the OBC reservation.”
Navnath Waghmare, an OBC activist who previously held a 10-day hunger strike to protect OBC quotas, was also present at the rally. Waghmare criticized Manoj Jarange for showing disrespect towards senior leaders like Chhagan Bhujbal and accused Maratha leaders in power of supporting Jarange’s demands.
He further stated, “Maratha leaders in power are supporting Jarange’s unreasonable demands which undermine the legitimate rights of the OBC community.”