Maharashtra: Committee Formed To Examine Reservation Claims Of Converted ST Students After BJP MLC Raised Concerns

The Maharashtra government has formed a three-member committee led by a retired vice-chancellor to ascertain the number of Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in industrial training institutes (ITIs) who, after converting to Christianity or Islam, have utilised reservation benefits.

The committee is tasked with providing recommendations on preventing such students from availing reservation benefits and ensuring compliance according to a report from The Indian Express.

The existing law reserves 7.5 per cent of seats for STs, allowing individuals from Scheduled Tribes, irrespective of their religion, to claim reservation benefits.

BJP MLCs recently raised concerns about ST students converting and still accessing reservations in ITIs, prompting the government to establish the committee, headed by Dr Murlidhar Chandekar, the former vice chancellor of Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University.

The committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations within 45 days, including steps to promote Adivasi (tribal) culture among Adivasi students.

This move follows increased pressure from right-wing groups to revoke the reservation rights of tribal community members who convert to other faiths and delist them from their original tribe.