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Maharashtra: Dhangar community leaders threaten Maratha-like strike

Community tells govt to include it in ST category

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Organisations representing the Dhangar community of shepherds will meet on July 31 in Pune to discuss their future strategy to demand ST status
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Even as the BJP-led state government is trying to find a solution to tackle the Maratha quota stir, the Dhangar community (shepherd) is now up in arms, demanding inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. Organisations representing the community are meeting on July 31 at Pune to discuss their future strategy.

They have warned the Maharashtra government not to delay the decision on their demands or else they too will protest aggressively like the Marathas.

The 15 million-strong Dhangar community, which is currently a Nomadic Tribe (NT) is spread across the state, particularly in Western Maharashtra. The quota provision under the NT pie is less as compared to the ST pie. Hence, inclusion in the ST means greater representation.

BJP MP and a Padma Shri awardee ophthalmologist, Dr Vikas Mahatme has voiced concern over the delays. "Four years have passed. The community's patience should not be tested further. The community is feeling ignored.

The government should seek the report from the Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS) and forward it to the Centre, recommending Dhangar community's inclusion in ST." The government had roped in TISS to study the Dhangar community's social status.

Dr Mahatme said the issue has been hanging for the last seven decades. "It was just a typographical error in the scheduled list of tribes which mentioned a community named Dhangad, which is same as Dhangar," he noted.

Former legislator Prakash Shendge, who is the president of Maharashtra State Dhangar Community Welfare Association, said the state should immediately take the decision to include the Dhangar community in the ST category as enough evidence has been submitted.

"Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in the run up to the 2014 Assembly elections, had said that his government would pass a resolution in the first Cabinet. Now they should fulfil the poll promise. We will launch a statewide agitation soon,'' Shendge said.

A state tribal development officer said TISS had completed the study of Dhangar community. "TISS has interacted with members of the Dhangar community from across the state. TISS has also studied the tribes of other states and their present status. Its report is expected,'' he added.

For BJP, it is struggling to consolidate its grip over the Dhangar community while Congress and NCP combine sees an opportunity to win over the community cashing in on the anger against the state government.

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