Quota for Dhangars: Maha tribal leaders jump from 3rd floor into Mantralaya's safety net in protest

by |

Mumbai, Oct 4 (IANS) A group of seven to eight tribal legislators from ruling and Opposition parties led by the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal on Friday jumped from the third floor into the safety net erected at the Mantralaya to protest against the state government’s move to provide reservation to the Dhangar community from the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category.


They were also opposed to the state government’s proposal to release a government resolution treating Dhangars and Dhangads as one and the same.


The shocking incident took place when the state Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was underway on the 7th floor of the Mantralaya. They also threw some papers during their protest.


Zirwal, who was accompanied by Kiran Lahamte, Hiraman Kosekar and Sunil Bhusara and BJP MP Hemant Sahara were angry over Chief Minister Shinde not giving them time for discussion and taking them into confidence on a politically-sensitive issue of providing reservation to the Dhangar community from the ST category.


They said that despite waiting for more than seven hours on Thursday, the Chief Minister did not turn up for the meeting.


As the legislators were shouting slogans while sitting in the safety net, the police had a tough time bringing them to the nearest floor.


Senior police officers were seen trying to convince them, but the legislators were quite adamant.


The protest by the tribal legislators and MP caught the police unawares and they had to mobilise personnel quickly to take further action.


The Mantralaya staff gathered in large numbers to see the protest by the legislators and MP. The tribal legislators were insisting that their fight would continue till they get justice.


They were also demanding that the state government recruit tribal youth under the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, 1996.


Zirwal, who was quite agitated, broke into tears and said, “We have taken this step in the larger interest of the tribal community and also of the children whose future should not go waste. We are tribals first and legislators or MPs later.”


Zirwal said although the tribal youth were recruited under the PESA Act, most of them were told to go home citing they would not be able to stay at work.


He added that nearly 6,500 such youths were currently protesting outside the homes of the tribal legislators asking them to help them or face the consequences.


Zirwal’s Blood Pressure in the meanwhile shot up, forcing the police to rope in a team of doctors for his treatment.


After much convincing, the protesting legislators and MPs were brought to the second floor by the police personnel.


However, they were not in a mood to leave the floor as they launched a sit in protest while shouting slogans.

Latest News
Lungi Ngidi ruled out of South Africa's home series against Sri Lanka, Pakistan Thu, Nov 14, 2024, 05:01 PM
Former BRS MLA Lingaiah appears before police in phone-tapping case Thu, Nov 14, 2024, 05:01 PM
CM Yogi rolls back UPPSC's decision to hold staggered PCS exam Thu, Nov 14, 2024, 05:00 PM
Jharkhand: Congress leader's LPG cylinder promise to infiltrators sparks a storm Thu, Nov 14, 2024, 04:59 PM
Delhi Waqf Board money-laundering case: Court orders release of AAP legislator Amanatullah Khan Thu, Nov 14, 2024, 04:59 PM
KTR must face punishment for attack on officials, says TPCC chief Thu, Nov 14, 2024, 04:25 PM
Rajasthan Independent candidate arrested for slapping SDM Thu, Nov 14, 2024, 04:25 PM
TN to introduce tag system for patient attendants in govt hospitals Thu, Nov 14, 2024, 04:23 PM
JMM-Cong-RJD are protectors of infiltrators, says UP CM at Jharkhand rally Thu, Nov 14, 2024, 04:23 PM
Indian stock market extends losses for 6th consecutive session Thu, Nov 14, 2024, 04:22 PM
PSEs are helping small firms to scale up: OIL CMD Thu, Nov 14, 2024, 04:04 PM
Bihar govt approves 3 pc DA for employees Thu, Nov 14, 2024, 04:03 PM
Congress-JMM wiped out after first phase of elections in Jharkhand: Amit Shah Thu, Nov 14, 2024, 03:53 PM
Gurugram: Inspections carried out to monitor marketplace encroachments Thu, Nov 14, 2024, 03:50 PM
Rohit, Virat have left Indian cricket in safe hands: Kaif reacts after strong show from youngsters Thu, Nov 14, 2024, 03:39 PM