1918 Hyderabad Gazette: The Heart of the Maratha Quota Debate
The ongoing Maratha quota stir finds its roots in a document dating back over a century – the 1918 Hyderabad Gazette. This historical record holds significant weight as it classified several farming communities in the Marathwada region as Kunbis, recognizing them as cultivators.
Kunbi Classification: A Key Element in the Quota Claims
The Gazette’s classification of these communities as Kunbis is a cornerstone of the current quota claims. This identification as cultivators links them to a historical agrarian identity, which plays a central role in the arguments for reservation.
The Gazette’s Impact on Today’s Struggle
The 1918 Hyderabad Gazette provides a historical context for understanding the current Maratha reservation movement. This document, a relic of the Nizam’s rule, continues to resonate in the present day, shaping the ongoing debate and fueling the fight for quota benefits.