Several Lambani community leaders who spoke at the Banjara jana jagruti samavesha in Bidar on Wednesday urged the government to drop the Justice A.J. Sadashiva Commission report recommending proportional representation to sub-castes among Scheduled Castes, saying it was unscientific.
P. Rajiv, MLA from Kudchi in Belagavi, described it as a ploy by vested interests to divide the Scheduled Caste communities that were living together like peacefully all these years. We should guard ourselves against it, the police officer-turned-legislator said. “`Poverty is forcing some Lambanis to migrate and sell their children. The government should implement measures to ensure welfare of Lambani tanda residents,’’ he said. He asked members of the community to realise the importance of reservation and other policies championed by Dr. Ambedkar.
Umesh Jadhav, MLA and political secretary to the Chief Minister, said the State government was planning to set up a textile park at Kattahalli in Humnabad taluk at a cost of Rs. 160 crore. The government has also sanctioned 34 acres of land for the park, he said.
Govardhan Rathod, All India Banjara Seva Samaj district unit president, asked Lambani leaders to work for the welfare of the community, looking beyond party and sub-caste differences.
Prabhu Chauhan, MLA, Basavaraj Pawar and other leaders were present.
