No action on quota for Marathas, Dhangars till HC ruling: CM

Maharashtra government will not take any further action on reservation for Maratha, Muslim and Dhangar communities in education and jobs till the Bombay High Court gives its final ruling in the case, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said today.
"The HC has given a stay on extending reservation to jobs. However, in its interim order it has allowed the government to extend reservation in education till it gives a final order," he said in the Legislative Council.
Fadnavis was replying to a debate on the question of extending quota to these communities raised by Congress' Sanjay Dutt in the Upper House.

Stating the Constitution does not provide for quota on religious lines, he said, "The HC has upheld a petition challenging reservation on religious lines."
To enable government lawyers argue the case for quota to Maratha community, the state is collecting proofs on their backwardness. The government has sought relevant documents in this regard from all those concerned, the Chief Minister said.
He said the Advocate General had opined the government needs to present its case before the Centre based on facts.
The state government has asked Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) to solicit views on reservation for Marathas from all stakeholders, he added.

Marathas want quota under OBC category (a demand backed by Government), while Dhangars (traditional shepherds) are agitating for ST status. The previous Congress-NCP government had provided five per cent quota for Muslims.