MUMBAI (Feb 18, 2026) — The Maharashtra government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has officially nullified the 5% reservation for Muslims in government jobs and education. While the quota has been in a state of “legal limbo” for over a decade, a new Government Resolution (GR) issued yesterday formally declares the 2014 ordinance and all related circulars as null and void.
The History of the Quota
The reservation was originally introduced in July 2014 by the then Congress-NCP government via an ordinance, classifying 50 sub-castes of Muslims under the Special Backward Class-A (SBC-A) category.
-
Judicial Intervention: In November 2014, the Bombay High Court stayed the quota in government jobs but allowed it to continue in state-aided educational institutions, citing “abysmally low” educational levels within the community.
-
The Lapse: Under the BJP-Shiv Sena government that followed, the ordinance was never converted into a law. It officially lapsed on December 23, 2014, after failing to pass through the state legislature.
-
Supreme Court Ruling: The Supreme Court later set aside the quota while deciding a Special Leave Petition, effectively rendering it inoperative years ago.
Political & Social Response
The formal cancellation has reignited a sharp political debate:
-
The Government’s Stand: Officials describe the new GR as a procedural formality to clear the books of a legally invalid provision. They maintain that the 2014 ordinance exceeded the 50% reservation ceiling set by the Supreme Court.
-
Opposition Criticism: Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad accused the government of hypocrisy regarding its “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” slogan, stating the move “pushes backward sections into darkness.”
-
“Ramadan Gift”: AIMIM leader Imtiaz Jaleel sarcastically labeled the decision a “Ramadan gift” but urged the community’s youth to prioritize education regardless of the setback.
