Maharashtra on the Brink: Bhujbal Warns of Anarchy Over OBC Quota Chaos After Tragic Suicide

In a powerful and urgent address, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal has issued a stark warning to the Maharashtra government: clarify the escalating confusion surrounding the Maratha reservation under the OBC quota, or face a spiraling descent into "anarchy" and a severe breakdown of law and order.

Bhujbal's impassioned plea comes in the wake of an alleged suicide by a Maratha youth in Beed, a tragic event reportedly linked to the very government resolutions (GRs) now at the heart of the controversy.

Addressing the media with palpable concern, Bhujbal minced no words, stating, "If the government does not clear the confusion over the GR, there will be anarchy and a law and order situation in the state." He emphasized that the situation had been allowed to fester, with the government's ambiguous stance only serving to inflame tensions between various communities.

The core of the dispute lies in the GRs issued on September 7 and October 13, which pertain to granting Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas based on proof of 'blood relatives' who already hold Kunbi status. This move, according to Bhujbal and many OBC leaders, is an alarming attempt to grant Marathas reservation without conducting a proper, comprehensive survey, thereby threatening to dilute the established OBC quota.

Bhujbal highlighted the gravity of the situation, citing the alleged suicide of a Maratha youth in Beed, who reportedly took his own life due to the confusion and despair over the reservation issue.

"After the death of the youth, the situation is getting out of hand," he cautioned, urging immediate intervention from the Chief Minister to prevent further tragedies and unrest. He reiterated that the GRs, particularly the one from October 13, are a direct assault on the OBC community's rights, designed to provide backdoor entry for Marathas into the OBC category.

The veteran leader elaborated on the specific concerns: "The GR states that if there is proof that a 'blood relative' of the Maratha community has a Kunbi certificate, then all blood relatives of that family will get Kunbi certificates." He argued that this broad definition could encompass thousands, if not millions, of Marathas, effectively making a mockery of the existing reservation system.

Bhujbal underscored that the original GR from September 7 had stipulated a proper survey, but the subsequent October 13 GR seemed to bypass this critical step, creating a shortcut that would bypass due process and scientific assessment.

Bhujbal's frustration was evident as he pointed out the government's failure to address the matter head-on, noting that he had previously written to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and other key figures, but to no avail.

He stressed that the OBC community felt profoundly cheated and their concerns were being ignored. The demand is clear: the government must either withdraw the controversial GR or provide unequivocal clarity that protects the OBC quota from any encroachment.

As the political temperature rises, Bhujbal's warning serves as a critical call to action.

The alleged suicide in Beed has added a tragic human dimension to an already contentious political issue, underscoring the urgency for the Maharashtra government to act decisively. Without a clear resolution, the state indeed risks plunging into the very "anarchy" that Bhujbal so gravely predicts, potentially igniting widespread social and political unrest across Maharashtra.