Maharashtra CM to take steps to vacate Supreme Court's stay on implementation of Maratha reservations

A statement from the Maharashtra Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said steps will be taken unitedly with all the stakeholders towards the same.

Mumbai: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said he will take steps to get the Supreme Court’s stay on the implementation of the 2018 law that granted reservation to the Maratha community in education and jobs vacated. A statement from the Maharashtra Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said steps will be taken unitedly with all the stakeholders.

On Sunday, Udhhav Thackeray held a review meeting with the cabinet sub committee members, legal experts and bureaucrats regarding law and order situation arising due to the court order, admissions to educational courses and recruitment process.

"In today's meeting with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, we discussed issues related to Maratha reservation. In the meeting, it was decided that a decision will be taken on the Maratha reservation after bringing everyone in confidence. A decision will be taken after discussion with LoP Devendra Fadnavis and other stakeholders," Ashok Chavan, head of the sub-committee on Maratha reservation, said, news agency ANI reported.

Assuring the community of the government's commitment, Thackeray also reminded the Maratha community to not gather in large numbers during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic as the government was with the community and would go to court again on this. "I want to tell the mothers and sisters, our feelings are the same as yours. Fight against injustice yes but this is your government, so what is the need to come out on the streets," Thackeray said.

The chief minister said that Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis has assured cooperation to the government to fight the legal battle for getting the stay vacated.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court stayed the implementation of the law, while clarifying that the status of those who have availed of the benefits will not be disturbed. A three-judge bench headed by Justice LN Rao referred to a larger constitution bench, to be set up by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, the batch of pleas questioning the validity of the law granting the reservation to Marathas.