The Maharashtra Assembly on Tuesday had to be adjourned after four protesters entered the Visitors’ Gallery and shouted anti-government slogans. The incident brought back the focus on reservation to the Dhangar community, a poll promise by the BJP that is yet to be fulfilled,
The Opposition seized the opportunity to slam the government, which assured reservation for the community under the Scheduled Tribe (ST) quota at its first Cabinet meeting after assuming power. The Speaker had to intervene, directing the government to submit its statement on the status of the demand.
The government has assigned the responsibility of finding out whether Dhangars are part of the ST community to the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). The report is expected in 18 months, until which no decision is likely to be taken.
Following Tuesday’s incident, the Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, warned the government of dire consequences if it failed to meet the expectations of the community.
“Just like the Dhangar reservation issue, Marathas and Muslims too have been kept waiting,” said Mr. Patil. “We haven’t heard any government representative speaking on this issue. Have they forgotten it?”
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Jayant Patil said: “Today the angry young men shouted from the audience gallery. Tomorrow they might stop BJP leaders from roaming in their own districts. What will the government do then?”
Former Deputy CM Ajit Pawar too reminded Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of his s0peech in Baramati, where he had reiterated his government’s promise. “Forget the first Cabinet, almost one-and-a-half-years have passed, and the government is not moving on the issue. Those who can support you can bring you down as well,” he said.
With no Cabinet minister from the BJP present in the house, it was left to party MLA Yogesh Sagar and Anil Gote to assure the House that the government would not back down from its word, and the Dhangars would get reservation.
Following Speaker Haribhau Bagde’s direction to file reply on the issue, the Opposition demanded a response from the government over reservation to Marathas and Muslims too.
Mr. Bagde then asked the government to clear its stand on these issues as well.
