In a dramatic protest on Friday afternoon, several tribal MLAs, including Maharashtra Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal, jumped off the third floor of the Mantralaya building in Mumbai, landing on safety nets below. The act was part of their ongoing opposition to the potential inclusion of the Dhangar community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, a move they fear could jeopardize existing tribal reservations.
Visuals of the protest, with MLAs being rescued from the safety nets, quickly went viral, highlighting the intense opposition among tribal leaders. Authorities were seen carefully assisting the legislators back to safety, as the situation drew widespread attention.
As reported by ABP Majha, the protest stems from a longstanding tribal grievance over the potential inclusion of the Dhangar community in the ST category. The tribal leaders expressed that any such move would be unconstitutional, citing concerns over tribal rights and quotas.
Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal penned a letter to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, emphasizing two demands: the reinstatement of the appointment process for ST candidates under the PESA Act and the urgent release of a Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) report on Dhangar reservations. This report has become a focal point in the debate, with tribal leaders fearing it could sway decisions in favor of the Dhangars.
The Dhangar community, currently classified as Other Backward Classes (OBC), has long sought ST status, arguing that a historical “spelling error” excluded them. Despite these claims, their petitions have been dismissed by the Supreme Court and Bombay High Court. Nonetheless, their influence over a significant number of Assembly seats keeps the issue politically charged.
This political clash intensified after Chief Minister Shinde met with Dhangar leaders, with Minister Shambhuraj Desai hinting at a possible government resolution that would grant them ST status. Tribal leaders immediately escalated their opposition, leading to Friday’s dramatic protest at the heart of the state’s administrative center.
The ongoing dispute between tribal groups and the Dhangar community over reservations remains a key political challenge for the Maharashtra government, with significant implications for both groups.