Fri Oct 04 23:18:47 IST 2024: ## Tribal MLAs Stage Dramatic Protest at Maharashtra Mantralaya Over Dhangar Reservation Demand

**Mumbai, October 26, 2023** – In a dramatic turn of events, several tribal MLAs, led by Maharashtra Assembly Deputy Speaker Narhari Jhirwal, staged a protest at the Maharashtra Mantralaya today, demanding a meeting with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The MLAs, opposed to the Dhangar community’s demand for inclusion in the Scheduled Caste (SC) category, jumped from the third floor of the Mantralaya onto a safety net on the second floor.

The protest comes amidst growing pressure from the Dhangar community, also known as shepherds, for a change in their reservation category. The community, currently categorized as Nomadic Tribes (NT), receives reservation benefits in government jobs and education up to 3.5%. Inclusion in the SC category would increase their reservation quota to 7%.

The MLAs, who threatened to stage a sit-in protest after their jump, claim that their long-standing issues are being ignored. They were seeking immediate attention from Chief Minister Shinde, who was in a cabinet meeting at the time.

The Dhangar community’s demand for category change is gaining momentum, posing a major challenge for the Shinde government. Six members of the community have been on an indefinite hunger strike in Pandharpur since September 9th, demanding action from the government.

Recently, Chief Minister Shinde directed Excise Minister Shambhuraj Desai to meet with delegations of the three communities involved in the dispute and listen to their demands. However, the Dhangar community leaders have announced a statewide “Rasta Roko” protest in response to the lack of progress.

The police intervened to remove the MLAs from the Mantralaya quadrangle. The situation remains tense as the demand for reservation continues to escalate, highlighting the complex and sensitive issue of reservation policy in Maharashtra.

Read More