Days after sealing the deal for an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday evening to resolve the issue of reservation for the Dhangar community.
According to sources, the leaders discussed the possibility to push the issue before the model code of conduct for the elections kicks in. The meeting lasted for over 30 minutes and is said to be the Sena’s attempt to claim credit in case the government decides to grant the community’s demand.
Dhangars, who are currently included in the VJNT category, are demanding the Scheduled Tribe status. In its 2014 Assembly election campaign, the BJP had promised to fulfil the demand. After the election, the Rashtriya Samaj Party, led by Dhangar leader Mahadev Jankar, joined the National Democratic Alliance and Mr. Jankar became a minister.
The community’s demand, however, is yet to be addressed. Various organisations have held rallies to push for their demand. The government had asked the Tata Institute of Social Sciences to prepare a report. However, it has not been made public despite demands from the Opposition and tribal leaders.
MLAs and MPs from the ST category have unanimously opposed the move to categorise Dhangars as tribals. In the recently held Tribal Advisory Council meeting, elected representatives, including those from the BJP, opposed the move. Mr. Jankar, a staunch advocate of including Dhangars in the ST category, has announced a rally in Mumbai on March 5.
