The Maharashtra government now finds itself walking a tightrope as the Maratha community, a significant portion of the Jalna constituency, holds the power to make or break the state’s political landscape. Glaring inequalities have ignited the flames of a formidable Maratha reservation movement.
In Jalna, the very heart of Marathwada and this author’s birthplace, millions have gathered with unwavering determination. They’ve stood in lines that stretched for miles just to catch a glimpse of their local leaders during hunger strikes, all of this achieved without the support of any political machinery. These gatherings have eclipsed even the grandest election rallies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In this arid heartland, where families in parched villages cling to hope amid an unrelenting drought, an overpowering sense of helplessness casts a long, dark shadow.
The fervent cry for reservation in Jalna isn’t born out of political calculation but flows from a deep well of emotional and socio-economic anguish. In a place where the land has long withered under the unforgiving sun, and the dreams of generations have gradually dimmed, the demand for reservations emerges as the last glimmer of hope, a poignant plea for an opportunity to transcend the ceaseless hardships, leaving them yearning for a brighter and more just tomorrow. This movement, rooted in the Marathwada soil, signifies a transformation in the pursuit of political power.
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Changing face of Maharashtra
Power has long been concentrated in the hands of a few in the political landscape of Jalna, including Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Raosaheb Danve, a five-time MP, former Shiv Sena MLA Arjun Khotakar, and Nationalist Congress party (NCP) MLA Rajesh Tope. These influential figures, hailing from the prosperous Maratha community, have extended their control through family members in rural politics and have faced allegations of corruption. Khotkar’s involvement is alleged in Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSCB)’s money laundering case. Danve has placed his son and relatives in key state political roles, while Tope carries his father Ankushrao Tope’s political legacy. This tight grip on power of these three families has left Jalna’s Maratha community feeling disillusioned, prompting them to take matters into their own hands, challenging the amassed, undocumented wealth of these influential political figures.
As numerous Maratha subcastes remain excluded from OBC reservation benefits, a persistent issue has become a significant concern for the Maharashtra government, heavily reliant on Maratha votes. If grassroots leaders in both the powerful Maratha lobbies of NCP and the fragmented factions of Shiv Sena continue to gain traction, it could potentially lead to significant upsets in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
In a startling revelation, recent data highlights the concerning trajectory of income inequality in India since Modi became the prime minister in 2014. From a Gini coefficient of 34.4 per cent, it surged to a staggering 47.9 per cent by 2018, positioning India among the most unequal countries globally. The World Inequality Report of 2022 accentuates this divide, with the top 10 per cent and top 1 per cent now controlling 57 per cent and 22 per cent of the national income, respectively. The bottom 50 per cent struggles with a meagre 13 per cent of total income. This alarming trend should serve as a clarion call for us to prioritise economic justice and social equality in our national agenda.
At a time when most policies in Maharashtra seem skewed in favour of Mumbai and the business elite, it is crucial for politicians and legal experts to delve into the concerns of rural communities. Parties such as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi (VBA), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), and others are trying to win the trust of unemployed rural youth, suggesting a seismic shift in Maharashtra’s political dynamics.
The upcoming general elections in 2024 have unsettled established political order, as this revolt has reached every household in the state, mobilising millions of young people who speak the language of BR Ambedkar and Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji simultaneously. This potent combination challenges the very core of every political party and its leadership. The hope lies in the momentum of this movement, maintaining a united front and ultimately ushering in a transformative era in Maharashtra politics where corruption and complacency can no longer hold sway.
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End of dynasties
The revolt has transcended all caste and religious boundaries, drawing support from every corner of society for the Maratha reservation cause. Consequently, traditional players like the BJP, whose current Lok Sabha MPs once urged voters to cast their ballots for the leadership of Modi have experienced a sudden shift. Marathas are now fervently seeking leaders within their community, their own Modis. This awakening is not confined to Maharashtra alone; similar protests from OBC communities are gaining momentum nationwide. As elections draw near, people are galvanised, recognising this as a unique opportunity to bring about real change and actively participating in the transformative process.
This relentless struggle, isn’t just a fight for quotas– it’s a revolution smoldering since the nation’s birth. Communities once revered, nestled in the heart of the caste hierarchy, now watch helplessly as their wealth dwindles, while many farmers die by suicide due to extreme poverty. There’s no greater agony than the erosion of pride and honour, and it’s the rallying cry that unites a community torn apart by adversity, forging a collective will to reclaim what was once theirs.
Holding the mantle as unwavering guardians of Shivaji’s legacy, these Maratha leaders may not have meticulously outlined visions, but they bear the responsibility of igniting the flames of hope. The soldiers, resolute in their determination, hunger for that spark. They yearn for new champions to emerge, for the winds of change are undeniably stirring. It’s increasingly evident that leadership, notwithstanding its electoral successes, is on the precipice of shifting away from the current local or political figures. This impending transformation is more than just about unity; it represents a revolutionary surge poised to rekindle the Marathas’ self-respect and pride, thrusting them back into history’s spotlight as they redefine their destiny.
It’s a battle for dismantling of inequalities, forging a path toward a brighter and more equitable future. If this momentum persists, all the current parties that have ruled Marathwada—NCP, BJP, and Shiv Sena factions—will teeter on the brink of the most significant upsets of their lifetimes. It’s a resounding call to end family dynasties in Maharashtra, and even figures like Danve, Khotkar, and Tope in Jalna, which has experienced the highest rate of farmer suicides.
The author is the president of Foundation for Human Horizon, a UN-affiliated NGO that’s
leading the Anti-Caste legislation movement in the USA and an Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Research Scholar at Johns Hopkins University. Views are personal.
(Edited by Ratan Priya)