Bombay High Court today ordered a stay on Maharashtra government's decision to give 16 per cent reservation to Marathas in public service and educational institutions. The High court also stayed State government's decision to provide 5 per cent reservation to Muslims in public service, but has allowed them quota in education sector. The next hearing will be on the 5th January, 2015.

The High Court while hearing three separate petitions on Maratha reservation said, as per the Supreme Court orders more than 50 per cent reservations cannot be given in any state. The court observed that since the Maratha community is not socially backward and it does not qualify for reservation.

Chief Minsiter Devendra Fadnavis while reacting to this said, they will challenge the decision in Supreme court and make required changes in law at the winter session in Nagpur in December. Contrary to this Shiv Sena leader Diwakar Raote welcome the decision, saying Congress wanted to give reservations to Muslims and so they proposed reservations for Marathas too.

Former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan's government had approved the proposal of 16 percent reservation for Marathas and 5 per cent reservation for Muslims in government jobs and education ahead of Assembly elections. The Congress-NCP government had in July 2014 promulgated ordinance in this regard. On June 25, the state cabinet had approved a proposal on the recommendation of Narayan Rane Committee.