In a dramatic turn of events, Maharashtra Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal, who is also a senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has been at the forefront of a protest against the proposed Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Dhangar community. This development has sparked intense political infighting within the ruling coalition in Maharashtra, highlighting deep-seated issues related to tribal rights and reservations.
Background of the Protest
The agitation led by Deputy Speaker Zirwal is centered around the state government's decision to grant ST status to the Dhangar community. This move has been met with resistance from several tribal MLAs, who argue that the inclusion of Dhangars in the ST list is unconstitutional and unfair to other tribal communities. The Dhangars, a shepherd community primarily residing in western Maharashtra, currently hold OBC status and have been seeking ST status, claiming that they are identical to the Dhangad tribe, which already enjoys ST status.
Deputy Speaker Zirwal, representing the tribal-dominated Dindori Assembly segment, has written a letter to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announcing an indefinite sit-in outside Mantralaya, the administrative headquarters of the government. This protest is aimed at highlighting the state government's lack of response to the concerns raised by MLAs from tribal communities regarding the inclusion of Dhangars in the ST list.
Escalation of Protests
The situation escalated further when several tribal MLAs, including Deputy Speaker Zirwal, attempted to jump from the third floor of Mantralaya. They landed on safety nets installed inside the building, narrowly avoiding serious injury. This dramatic act of protest underscores the intensity of the issue and the desperation of the tribal MLAs to be heard.
The protests have been ongoing for several weeks, with tribal leaders meeting with Chief Minister Shinde multiple times to discuss their concerns. However, no concrete resolution has been reached, leading to the current impasse. The announcement of an indefinite sit-in by Deputy Speaker Zirwal is a clear indication that the issue will continue to be a major point of contention in Maharashtra politics.
Political Ramifications
The protests and subsequent actions by Deputy Speaker Zirwal have significant political ramifications. The BJP, a key ally in the ruling coalition, has been facing internal pressure regarding its alliance with the NCP. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently stated that while there is still some opposition within the BJP to the alliance with NCP, they have managed to convince a significant majority of their core voters.
However, the ongoing protests and infighting within the ruling coalition could potentially destabilize the government. The issue of tribal reservations is a highly sensitive topic in Maharashtra, and any misstep could lead to widespread discontent among various communities.
Deputy Speaker Zirwal has also raised two major demands in his letter to Chief Minister Shinde. Firstly, he has urged the government to restart the process of appointing Scheduled Tribe candidates notified under PESA (The Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension of Scheduled Area). Secondly, he has demanded that no unconstitutional decisions be taken regarding the inclusion of Dhangars in the ST list, and that the TISS report on Dhangar reservation be made public.
The Dhangars' claim that they are identical to the Dhangad tribe, which has ST status, has been a central point of contention. Despite Supreme Court and Bombay High Court rulings rejecting petitions from the community, the Dhangars continue to push for ST status.
In conclusion, the protests led by Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal highlight the complex and contentious nature of tribal reservations in Maharashtra. The ongoing sit-in and dramatic acts of protest underscore the deep-seated issues and political infighting within the ruling coalition.
