The Maharashtra government has revoked its old order granting 5% reservation to the backward classes among Muslims in the State. The reservation was granted under the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) category via the formation of the SBC-A or Special Backward Category-A. The Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Maharashtra government in 2014 had granted 16% reservation to Marathas and 5% reservation to Muslims in government and semi-government jobs and education. While the court struck down reservation for Marathas, and reservation for Muslims in jobs, it observed the need for reservation for Muslims in education. “Does Ajit Pawar’s party not stand for Muslim reservation anymore?” Mr. Chavan told The Hindu on Wednesday (February 18, 2026).

Source: The Hindu February 18, 2026 10:31 UTC