CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Maharashtra cabinet minister and prominent OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal called for a halt to the issuance of Kunbi certificates to Marathas, claiming an “irrational” surge in the number of Marathas obtaining such certificates without proper scrutiny.“Initially, we were told that 5,000-odd Marathas were found to be Kunbis.

The number then quickly increased to 11,500 within a few days.It has further increased to two-three crores,” the seniorNCP leader said, addressing a mega rally of the OBC community in Marathwada’s Hingoli on Sunday.Bhujbal went further, demanding the scrapping of the committee led by Justice (retd) Sandeep Shinde, formed to explore reservation for Marathas based on their Kunbi background.

A staunch critic of the demand for Maratha quota, he insisted on a comparative study of all backward communities before granting reservation to the Marathas.Responding to Bhujbal’s statements, reservation activist Manoj Jarange accused the NCP leader of fuelling hatred between Marathas and OBCs.

“He wants to disturb social harmony.

He is indulging in politics just to gain mileage.

At the grassroots level, the OBCs have no qualms with Marathas getting Kunbi certificates,” Jarange countered.Jarange asserted that the Bhujbal is filled with resentment and accused him of talking about community bonding only recently.

“For years, people from other castes have together usurped the reservation benefits meant for Marathas,” the activist said.Bhujbal also criticised the Maharashtra State Backward Classes Commission, saying it is unjust to study only the isolated case of the Maratha community.

The state government had reconstituted the panel to assess the social and economic backwardness of the Marathas for potential reservation.He also demanded police action against Maratha activists selectively restricting the entry of public leaders in villages to gain support for their quota demand.(with inputs from Nagpur)