The Bombay High Court on Monday expressed displeasure over Advocate Gunratan Sadavarte’s absence during a crucial hearing involving the Maratha reservation issue, as he opted to participate in the reality TV show Bigg Boss instead. The bench, led by Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justices GS Kulkarni and Firdosh Pooniwalla, has been dealing with multiple petitions challenging the constitutional validity of reservations for the Maratha community in Maharashtra.
Advocate Sadavarte, known for his opposition to the Maratha reservation, missed the session where final arguments against the reservation were presented. The hearing, pivotal in addressing a significant socio-legal matter in the state, concluded with plans to continue on November 19, focusing on the Maharashtra government’s defense.
Chief Justice Upadhyaya, upon learning of Sadavarte’s participation in Bigg Boss and his choice to bring a pet donkey along, remarked sarcastically about the advocate’s preference for company, suggesting that he was “enjoying better company there.” The court also decided that no further arguments from the petitioners would be entertained during the upcoming session, which will be dedicated to the Advocate General Dr. Birendra Saraf’s presentation.
The case centers on the Maharashtra State Reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Act, 2024, which offers a 10 percent reservation to the Maratha community in government jobs and educational institutions. The petitions challenge both the act and the procedures of the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission, led by retired Justice Sunil Shukre.
The Maratha reservation has been a contentious issue, stirring debate about its implications on other communities and the overall reservation system in India. Advocates for and against the reservation have voiced their concerns regarding its impact on social justice and constitutional norms.
