The Maharashtra government has withdrawn a 10-year-old resolution that allowed nearly 50 Muslim communities to apply for caste certificates under the Special Backward Category-A (SBC-A). This move effectively shuts down the last administrative mechanism connected to the proposed 2014 education quota for Muslims. With the new order, all earlier resolutions linked to this framework, including those permitting certificate issuance, have been cancelled. This brings an official end to a policy that was introduced but never fully implemented.
The idea of Muslim reservation in the state began taking shape in 2008 when the then Congress-NCP government formed a committee led by retired IAS officer Mehmood ur Rahman. The panel studied the socio-economic conditions of Muslims and found that a significant section faced poverty and low educational attainment. It recommended an 8% reservation in jobs, education, and housing to address structural disadvantages. Based on this, an ordinance in 2014 proposed 5% reservation for Muslims along with 16% for Marathas.
The quota did not apply to the entire Muslim population but targeted around 50 socially and educationally backward occupational groups such as weavers, butchers, and fisherfolk. These groups were placed under SBC-A and were required to obtain caste certificates similar to other backward classes. However, the policy soon faced legal challenges in the Bombay High Court. In November 2014, the court struck down the Maratha quota but permitted 5% reservation for Muslims in education.
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Mahayuti Shuts Down 2014 Muslim Reservation Move in Maharashtra
Despite the partial legal backing, the ordinance was never converted into permanent legislation and lapsed in December 2014 after the BJP came to power in the state. While efforts were made later to restore Maratha reservation, no legislative steps were taken to revive the Muslim quota. The issue briefly resurfaced in 2020 under the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government, but no concrete proposal was pursued.
With the latest decision, all administrative provisions related to SBC-A certification for Muslims have been revoked. This means there is currently no separate reservation for Muslims in Maharashtra based on religion. However, individuals from Muslim communities listed under OBC, VJNT, or other recognised backward classes will continue to receive benefits through those categories. The state has now clarified that reservation eligibility will depend on social classification rather than religious identity.
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