Now, Uddhav Thackeray's government to introduce Muslim quota in Maharashtra: Sources

While reservation in Maharashtra has already breached 70%, sources reported on Friday that Thackeray-led Aghadi government is preparing to introduce a Muslim-based reservation in state. government is expected to make a formal anuncement on same, according to sources. Incidentally, a Muslim reservation was mentioned in Congress and NCP's manifesto.

Raj vs Uddhav: On Bal Thackeray's birth anniversary MNS, Sena vie for his Hindutva legacy

Bombay HC upholds Maratha reservation

In June 2019, after a year of Maratha agitation, Maharashtra Legislative State Assembly passed amendment in Socially Ecomically Backward Class Act including 16% reservation in universities and government jobs. Bombay High Court upheld decision but reduced quantum to of reservation to 12% and 13% for social (jobs) and educational purposes. This brought total reservation in Maharashtra up to 72% along with Ecomically weaker section (in general category) reservation of 10%, passed by Modi government.

GAMECHANGER: Shiv Sena invites Rahul Gandhi to Ayodhya; 'allies should also come with us'

'Secular' CMP

This move comes inspite of allies agreeing to a 'secular' joint Common Minimum Programme, which has led to Shiv Sena's dilemma with its Maharashtra allies Congress-NCP in matters related to Hindutva. CMP's preamble declares that alliance will take a joint view on matters which have consequences on 'secular fabric of nation', which has led to Sena feuding with Congress' disdain for far of Hindutva - Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. While Hindutva and secularism has been a bone of contention, this is a first when Sena is mulling a Muslim-favouring move.

Maratha Reservation protest cases next?: All cases Thackeray govt has withdrawn

Congress-NCP govt's ordinance

previous Congress-NCP government had passed an ordinance granting a 5% quota to Muslims in 2014, as per reports. But in 2018, BJP-Shiv Sena government ruled out reservation for Muslims on religious grounds citing various Supreme Court and high court rulings. n CM Fadnavis had reportedly said that  Bombay high court had upheld reservation in educational institutions for Muslims but rejected quota in jobs in 2014 when it struck down Congress-NCP's ordinance.

BIG: Bombay HC upholds Maratha reservation in Maharashtra, reducing quantum to 12% for jobs and 13% for educational purposes