Assembly Dy speaker protests by jumping onto safety nets over Tribal Quota controversy in western India
by Aditi VermaIn a dramatic protest against the inclusion of the Dhangar community in the tribal quota, Maharashtra Assembly Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal and two tribal legislators leaped from the third floor onto safety nets in western India’s Maharashtra.
The incident took place at the Mantralaya building in Mumbai on October 4.
Visuals showed the scene at the Mantralaya building, two politicians jumped from the upper floor into safety nets set up below. The atmosphere was tense as police and other officials rushed to assist them. The nets stretched taut beneath the politicians, caught them securely, preventing any serious injuries. Onlookers gathered nearby, watching the unfolding drama with a mix of concern and curiosity. The building itself loomed in the background, a symbol of the political struggle and protest taking place.
The protest occurred as the Dhangar community, a shepherd group primarily from western Maharashtra and the Marathwada region continues to advocate for its inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe category. Currently listed under Nomadic Tribes, the Dhangars argue that they have been unfairly excluded from benefits afforded to other tribal communities due to a lack of recognition in the Centre’s database.
According to the community, the database identifies ‘Dhangad’ as part of the Scheduled Tribes, leading to confusion and misrepresentation of their identity. This exclusion has significant implications for access to education, employment, and various welfare schemes designed for scheduled tribes.
Zirwal and the other legislators, in their protest, aimed to draw attention to the urgent need for policy changes to acknowledge the Dhangar community’s rightful place within the tribal quota framework. Thankfully, officials reported that none of the protesters sustained serious injuries during the demonstration.
The incident has sparked discussions about the broader implications of tribal quotas and the complexities involved in recognizing diverse communities within India’s socio-political landscape.