Govt will consider reservation demands only within Constitution: Devendra Fadnavis

Published 12 August 2026 · politics

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said his government would hear reservation demands raised by different communities, but would take decisions only within the

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said his government would hear reservation demands raised by different communities, but would take decisions only within the framework of the Constitution and rules. He said the government would consider demands that were in public interest and in line with the Constitution, and would reject those that were not. His remarks came amid a fresh political debate over reservation demands, especially those linked to the Maratha community and the Other Backward Classes category. Fadnavis said the government was committed to ensuring justice to all communities, including Marathas, OBCs, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Vimukta Jatis and Nomadic Tribes, and would not take away from one group to give to another.

Read Full Story Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis said, "The government runs according to the Constitution and will continue to do so. It does not function under pressure or outside the rules. However, the government listens to everyone." He added, "If a demand is in public interest and fits within the Constitution, it will be considered. If it does not fit within the Constitution, it will not be accepted." The chief minister said, "The Constitution asks us to take care of everyone. This government will take care of everyone and give justice to all. We will not snatch from one community and give it to another. We have taken care of everyone so far and will continue to do so." The debate has intensified as Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange has targeted state Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule over the issue.

Defending Bawankule, Fadnavis said a minister was constitutionally required to forward complaints and representations to the concerned department for inquiry. "Whenever a complaint comes to any minister, the Constitution places a responsibility on the minister to forward it for inquiry. Accordingly, every representation received is sent to the concerned department. The department does not take a decision merely because of such a representation; it takes a decision on the basis of evidence," he said. Fadnavis also said the committee dealing with the matter was independent of the government and had judicial powers. "The committee is not bound to the government and does not report to the government. It has judicial powers.

If anyone is aggrieved by its decision, an appellate authority has been created in the recently concluded session, and they can approach it," he said. He further said, "Just because a minister is from the OBC community, targeting him in this manner is not right. It does not suit Maharashtra," and added that, in his view, Bawankule had only done his duty as a minister and had not intentionally tried to cancel any decision or favour anyone. Ends