In an unprecedented scene at Maharashtra’s state secretariat, Mantralaya, Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal, along with three other legislators, jumped from the third floor on Friday to protest the potential inclusion of the Dhangar community in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category. Fortunately, all of them landed safely on a protective net installed to prevent suicides in the building.
This event has shaken the political landscape, leaving many in shock as the lawmakers took this extreme step to demonstrate their opposition to the government’s consideration of granting ST status to the Dhangar community, a group currently classified under the Other Backward Classes (OBC).
What Led to the Protest?
Narhari Zirwal, a member of the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and three legislators took this drastic step in response to the ongoing demands for the Dhangar community to be moved to the ST category. The Dhangar community, historically part of the OBCs, has long argued that they are the same as the Dhangads, a group listed as ST in several Indian states.
As discussions surrounding this demand gained momentum, tensions escalated, particularly among tribal legislators who feared that the inclusion of Dhangars in the ST category would negatively affect the benefits and reservations currently available to the existing Scheduled Tribes.
The protest, which included a BJP MP, was intended to send a strong message to the state government, highlighting their staunch opposition to the move. Zirwal and his colleagues made the daring leap to express their discontent with the government’s deliberation on this issue, catching both the public and officials off guard.
The Jump from Mantralaya: A Risky Protest
The decision to jump from the third floor of the Mantralaya was not only risky but dramatic. Luckily, a safety net had been installed back in 2018 as a preventive measure against suicide attempts. This net, located one floor below the third, saved the legislators from potentially fatal injuries.
Videos circulating on social media show the lawmakers landing on the net and then climbing back into the building. Their actions have sparked a wide range of reactions, with some supporting their bold protest while others criticized it for being reckless and unnecessary.
Political Reactions to the Protest
The protest quickly gained media attention and prompted responses from various political figures. While some sympathized with the concerns raised by Zirwal and the other legislators, others saw it as a dramatic and potentially harmful form of dissent.
Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis, along with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, were reportedly present at a cabinet meeting in the same building when the incident occurred. Although the protest did not lead to any immediate changes in government policy, it has certainly added fuel to the ongoing debate over the ST status for the Dhangar community.
The Dhangar Community's Fight for Inclusion
The Dhangar community’s push to be classified under the Scheduled Tribes category is rooted in the belief that they have been historically marginalized and that their tribal status has been overlooked. While they are currently listed under OBC in Maharashtra, their counterparts, the Dhangads, enjoy ST status in states like Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
For years, the Dhangar community has been agitating for their reclassification, claiming that they share cultural and ancestral ties with recognized tribal groups. Their inclusion in the ST category would grant them additional benefits such as reserved seats in education and government jobs.
However, this demand has been met with resistance, particularly from tribal groups in Maharashtra, who worry that the inclusion of Dhangars in the ST category would dilute the resources and opportunities available to the existing Scheduled Tribes.
A Divisive Issue with Far-reaching Consequences
The debate over the inclusion of the Dhangar community in the ST category is one that has deep political, social, and economic implications. If the government decides to grant ST status to the Dhangars, it could significantly alter the landscape of reservations and affirmative action policies in Maharashtra.
While the protest by Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal and the other legislators has undoubtedly brought the issue into the spotlight, it remains to be seen how the government will address the conflicting interests of the Dhangar and tribal communities.
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Conclusion
Narhari Zirwal’s bold protest by jumping off the third floor of the Mantralaya may have been a high-stakes political statement, but it highlights the growing unrest surrounding the Dhangar community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status. As the debate continues, the state government is under pressure to find a solution that addresses the concerns of all involved, while avoiding further division among Maharashtra’s communities.
With the Dhangar issue sparking such extreme reactions, the coming months could see even more heated political discussions, protests, and demands for change. Only time will tell if this daring protest will result in a breakthrough or lead to further tensions in the state.
