Nagpur: With OBC leaders preparing to storm the streets against the state’s reservation policy which they alleged favoured Marathas, cabinet minister and senior OBC face Chhagan Bhujbal is set to rally community members on September 18 in Nagpur, the home turf of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, intensifying the political confrontation over quota politics.With political lines blurring for the OBC cause, Nagpur will witness another rally on October 10 led by Congress leaders Vijay Wadettiwar and MLC Abhijit Wanjari at Yashwantrao Chavan Stadium and Samvidhan Chowk. Though spearheaded by the Opposition Maha Vikas Agadhi, they prefer to call it a non-political demonstration.Political observers said, by rallying his community on CM Fadnavis’ turf, Bhujbal risks confronting his own govt’s stance on the issue. Already critical of both the govt resolution (GR) and Maratha quota spearhead Manoj Jarange’s movement, his speech on Thursday is expected to shape the discourse on reservations and test the govt’s ability to navigate this sensitive issue.His intervention, seen as a direct challenge to Mahayuti govt’s handling of the crisis, is expected to galvanise protests that are already gaining momentum across Vidarbha and beyond.The rally where Bhujbal will be addressing OBC protestors is being organised by Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad and other OBC groups. It will be held at the Mahatma Phule Sabhagruh in Reshimbagh and aims to “raise the voice of OBC, vimukta jaati, nomadic tribes and special backward classes,” according to parishad leaders. Senior member Prof Diwakar Game, Vishal Hajare, and others called for a massive turnout, saying, “Minister Bhujbal, one of the top OBC leaders in the govt, will guide the rally and address thousands of supporters.“The protest follows the Maharashtra govt’s decision to issue Kunbi certificates to Marathas based on Hyderabad gazetteer, a demand by Jarange. OBC leaders argue the move threatens their existing quota rights. “The cabinet’s sub-committee, under pressure from Maratha agitators, issued a govt resolution on September 2, ignoring constitutional provisions and judicial verdicts. This is a direct betrayal of OBCs, and outrage is widespread,” an OBC spokesperson said.The situation has triggered despair among OBC youth, with reports of self-harm and suicides surfacing from rural districts. “Many OBC youngsters, fearing reservation erosion, have resorted to extreme steps like suicide,” he warned, raising concerns that the unrest could spread across the state. Political analysts believe Bhujbal’s rally marks a turning point.
