**Bombay High Court to Hear Petitions Challenging Maharashtra Government’s GR on Maratha Kunbi Caste Certificates**
*Mumbai:* The Bombay High Court is set to hear a batch of petitions on Tuesday filed by representatives of the Kunbi and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities challenging the Maharashtra government’s Government Resolution (GR) dated September 2. The GR permits Marathas from the Marathwada region to obtain Kunbi caste certificates under the Hyderabad Gazette.
### Petitioners Cite Vagueness in GR
Senior advocate Venkatesh Dhond, representing one of the petitioners, argued that the new GR is excessively vague, describing it as “delightfully vague” and warning that it could “permit backdoor entry for those who don’t otherwise fit in.” The petitioners seek to quash the GR along with all related documents issued under its purview.
### Bench Questions Entertaining the Plea
During a brief hearing on Monday, the bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad questioned whether such a petition could be entertained. The bench asked, “How can there be a mandamus to quash a GR?”
### Permission for Amendments Granted
Dhond informed the court about minor amendments to the petitions. Granting permission, the bench allowed the petitioners to “reflect on prayers made in the petition and, if necessary, carry out” amendments during the day. The matter will continue on Tuesday.
### Caution on Pleadings
The bench cautioned counsels to exercise care in preparing pleadings, emphasizing, “Time and again we have to remind junior counsels to be careful. This is a highly contested matter.” The court also directed that any pending petitions on the issue be communicated immediately. The bench clarified that once the hearing begins, no fresh petitions would be tagged, noting, “Petitions keep coming, and we can’t keep adjourning matters.”
### Five Petitions Filed by OBC Organisations
A total of five petitions have been filed by various OBC organisations and representatives, including Kunbi Sena, Maharashtra Mali Samaj Mahasangh, Ahir Suvarnkar Samaj Sanstha, Sadanand Mandalik, and Maharashtra Nabhik Mahamandal. These groups contend that granting Kunbi certificates to Marathas will effectively classify them within the OBC category, consequently diluting reservation benefits for existing OBC communities.
### Background of the September 2 GR
The September 2 Government Resolution followed a hunger strike by activist Manoj Jarange at Azad Maidan, demanding reservation for Marathas. Petitioners refer to the move as “arbitrary, unconstitutional, and politically expedient,” arguing that it alters the grounds for caste certification through a “vague and confusing” process, potentially leading to “utter chaos.”
### Petitioners’ Claim
The plea reads:
“The decision is a circuitous method of granting caste certificates to the Maratha community from Other Backward Classes by a confusing and vague procedure, which is inclusion of the community in the OBC category.”
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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/bombay-hc-to-hear-petitions-challenging-maharashtra-gr-granting-kunbi-certificates-to-marathas-on-october-7
