When it comes to communal harmony, we generally limit our discussions to the relations, strained or eased, between people of different religions. What Maharashtra is experiencing now, is simmering tension between various communities that belong to the same religion - Hindu. As the rules of the game establish, relations spoil when the people involved talk of their respective benefits, and their fight for the cause, which might be rightful in their own perspectives; but ultimately creates an impression that they would not desist from eating into the other's share. The Maratha quota stir has exactly done this to the other Hindu castes, which have been enjoying reservation, or are now waging their own battle for it.

As constitutional arrangements don't allow states' quota to go beyond a certain cap, fear has gripped the other backward classes (OBCs), that their right might be compromised to accommodate the Marathas. The BJP government is aware of this, and was very prompt in declaring sops for OBCs last week. Wooing OBCs is much easier than getting the Marathas on board, because of the ongoing case in the Bombay High Court. It seems the BJP will rely immensely on OBCs in its attempt for regaining power next year.