The Bombay high court today stayed Maharashtra government's decision to give 16 per cent reservation to Marathas in public service and educational institutions.

The HC also put a stay on state's decision to provide 5 per cent reservation to Muslims in public service, but allowed them reservation in education.

The HC bench headed by chief justice Mohit Shah kept the next hearing in this matter on January 5th, 2015. Our correspondent reports that the Maharashtra government has decided to approach the Supreme Court after the Bombay High Court's decision today.

The Bombay High Court while hearing three separate petitions on Maratha reservation today said that 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, it does not qualify for reservation. While reacting to this Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said they will challenge the decision in Supreme court and make required changes in law at the winter session in Nagpur in December.

NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said that this government did not present the case in a proper manner in HC and the ruling highlights the failure on part of the new regime to protect the quota decision of the Congress-NCP government.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena has sought an explanation from the BJP government for its failure to protect the Maratha quota in court.