The Bombay High Court on Tuesday asked the Maharashtra government to respond to the petitions challenging its resolution (GR) on issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to the eligible Maratha community members so that they can avail the benefits available to Other Backward Classes (OBC).

However, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad declined to pass any interim order in the case and asked the State to respond within four weeks. 

Press Trust of India reported that the Court said the issue can be decided only after examining the government response.

The petitioners moved the High Court contending that the GR would lead to inclusion of Maratha community members in the OBC category.

Earlier, Maharashtra’s capital had been brought to a standstill by protests demanding 10 percent reservation for Marathas as Kunbis under OBC. Activist Manoj Jarange Patil had been at the forefront of the protest. The High Court had then taken exception to the government’s handling of the protests.

The petitions against the GR issued on September 2 have been filed by Kunbi Sena, Maharashtra Mali Samaj Mahasangh, Ahir Suvarnkar Samaj Sanstha, Sadanad Mandalik and Maharashtra Nabhik Mahamandal.