Key Points
Just before the rise of the British, in the 18th century, much of India was ruled by various Maratha families..
But in the 21st century, many Maratha lobbies are demanding reservation, and see themselves as a backward, not forward, community..
These tribals and fringe-dwelling communities, forced to do menial jobs, not given access to village resources, were the backward castes with the lowest ritual status and neither economic nor political power..
Likewise, Kayasthas (scribes) long mocked as 'shudra' or lowborn by rival Brahmins are rushing to courts demanding reservation, insisting they are backward, despite being economically and politically forward...
The new reservation order was aimed as a tool of social justice to help the 'impure' and the powerless..
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