Minister for Municipal Administration and Minority Affairs Qamarul Islam has said that the State government will consider the demand of the Maratha community for reclassification of their backward class status and include them in Backward Class 2 (A) category after the Socio Economic and Caste Census report is submitted.
Speaking after inaugurating the 389th birth anniversary of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji here on Friday, Mr. Qamarul said that the report would throw light on the status of the community and whether the community fulfilled the parameters and eligibility for consideration of inclusion in the Backward Class 2 (A) category.
The Maratha community is now in the Backward Class 3 (B) category.
Lauding the contribution of Chhatrapati Shivaji, he said the great warrior travelled across the length and breadth of India and fought many battles, his life was an emblem of courage that stood against oppression. Mr. Qamarul also recalled the contribution of 18th century ruler Tipu Sultan.
He said that both Tipu Sultan and Chhatrapati Shivaji stood for patriotic values. Dinkar More, president of the Karnataka Kshatriya Maratha Parishad, was present.
