How retired judges turned mediators, doused Maratha reservation stir fire

Two retired Bombay High Court judges have successfully convinced Maratha quota leader Manoj Jarange-Patil to suspend his hunger strike until January 2. During a four-hour meeting, the judges explained the legal obstacles to implementing Patil's demand for reservation for the entire Maratha community. They also discussed the state government's move to fortify its stand with a curative petition in the Supreme Court and the reconstitution of the Maharashtra State Backward Classes Commission. The judges agreed to expand the scope of the Justice Sandeep Shinde panel to issue more Kunbi certificates.