Maharashtra Government Revokes Muslim 5% Reservation Process, Ending Dormant Quota
Updated (2 articles)
Order Issued on Feb 17 Revokes Muslim Reservation Process On 17 February 2026 the Maharashtra state government issued an order terminating the caste‑verification and validation procedure for the 5 % Muslim reservation, effectively withdrawing the quota from government jobs and educational institutions [1][2]. The cancellation removes the administrative mechanism that had been dormant for over a decade. No new certificates will be issued, and the SBCA category for Muslim SEBCs is officially eliminated.
Reservation Never Implemented After 2014 Ordinance Expired The 5 % quota was introduced by a 2014 ordinance that also granted a 16 % reservation for Marathas, but the ordinance lapsed on 23 December 2014, preventing any practical implementation [1][2]. Consequently, the Muslim community did not receive any seats or benefits from the policy. Legal challenges and the expiry of the ordinance left the reservation dormant throughout the intervening years.
Legal History Limits Reservation to Education Only In 2014 the Bombay High Court struck down the job‑reservation component of the ordinance while allowing an educational reservation, following a petition by Sanjit Shukla [1][2]. The court’s decision meant that even the education‑based quota could not be activated before the ordinance expired. The present order therefore removes the only remaining legal basis for the reservation.
Political Reactions Highlight Communal and Strategic Tensions Former chief minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan questioned why the BJP‑led government scrapped the measure shortly after Ajit Pawar’s death, suggesting a shift in communal policy [1]. Congress legislator Amin Patel described the cancellation as a “lost battle” for nation‑building [1]. Opposition figures such as NCP‑SP spokesperson Clyde Crasto and Shiv Sena’s Krishna Hegde denounced the move as anti‑Muslim and praised the Mahayuti government for restoring full backward‑community reservation [2].
Administrative Framework Completely Erased The government revoked every directive issued in 2014‑15 concerning SEBC Muslim certificates, wiping out the entire administrative structure for the quota [2]. With the SBCA reservation scrapped, no legal framework remains for a separate Muslim reservation in Maharashtra.
Sources
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1.
The Hindu: Maharashtra Government Cancels 5% Muslim Backward‑Class Reservation – Reports the February 19 order ending the 5 % Muslim reservation, includes reactions from Prithviraj Chavan, Amin Patel, and background on the 2014 ordinance and court rulings .
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2.
The Hindu: Maharashtra Government Cancels Process for Muslim Reservation Certificates – Details the February 18 order that halts caste‑verification for Muslim quotas, emphasizes that the quota never took effect after the 2014 ordinance lapsed, and records opposition criticism labeling the move anti‑Muslim .
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Timeline
2014 – Maharashtra’s Congress‑NCP government announces a 5 % reservation for Muslim SEBCs and a 16 % reservation for Marathas, creating the Special Backward Class A (SBCA) category for backward Muslim communities [2].
2014 – The Bombay High Court limits the reservation to education, blocks job‑reservation for Muslim SEBCs, and advises that only educational quotas may proceed [2].
Dec 23, 2014 – The 2014 ordinance expires, preventing any implementation of the Muslim reservation in jobs or education and leaving the 5 % quota dormant [2].
Feb 17, 2026 – The Maharashtra government issues an order ending the caste‑verification and validation process for Muslim SEBC certificates, effectively withdrawing the 5 % reservation in government jobs and education [2].
Feb 18, 2026 – A state order formally cancels the 5 % Muslim reservation under SBCA, scrapping the legal framework for such quotas and confirming that the community never received any benefits [1].
Feb 18, 2026 – Former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan asks, “Why did the BJP‑led government scrap the decision shortly after Ajit Pawar’s death?” and accuses the party of abandoning Muslim reservation [1].
Feb 18, 2026 – Congress legislator Amin Patel calls the cancellation “a lost battle,” stressing its importance for nation‑building and recalling prior High Court support for the measure [1].
Feb 18, 2026 – NCP‑SP spokesperson Clyde Crasto denounces the move as anti‑Muslim, stating “the BJP does not value Muslim leaders.” [2]
Feb 18, 2026 – Shiv Sena’s Krishna Hegde blames the previous Congress‑NCP for the temporary ordinance and claims the Mahayuti government “has restored full backward‑community reservation.” [2]