Tribal MLAs Protest Outside Mantralaya, Jump onto Safety Nets
Mumbai:
In an extraordinary show of defiance, several tribal MLAs, including Maharashtra Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal, protest the discontinuation of appointments of Scheduled Tribe candidates under the PESA Act and grant Scheduled Tribe status to Dhangars. The MLAs took the drastic step of jumping onto safety nets installed in the Mantralaya building to draw attention to their demands.
Roots of the Protest
The tribal MLAs have been demanding the recruitment of tribals in government jobs under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) (PESA) Act, 1996. They allege that since October 2023, the process for recruiting tribals in 17 different categories has been stalled at the state government level.
Additionally, the MLAs oppose the inclusion of the Dhangar community in the ST reservation category. They believe that it would dilute the existing ST quota and deprive legitimate tribal candidates of their rightful opportunities.
The Incident at Mantralaya
On Friday afternoon, a group of tribal MLAs gathered at Mantralaya to protest their demands. After failing to meet with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, they ascended the safety nets on the second floor of the building and threatened to jump.
Several MLAs, including Zirwal, jumped onto the nets, sending shockwaves through the building. Police and rescue workers quickly intervened and secured the protesters, who were later taken away for questioning.
Political Reactions
The incident has sparked strong reactions from both the ruling and opposition parties. Chief Minister Shinde has condemned the MLAs’ actions and has promised to investigate the matter. Opposition leaders have expressed solidarity with the tribal MLAs and have criticized the government’s handling of their concerns.
Background and Significance
The protest highlights the growing frustration among tribal communities in Maharashtra over issues of representation and rights. The tribal population in the state is significant, and they have long faced discrimination and marginalization.
The PESA Act was enacted to empower tribal communities by giving them autonomy over their resources and decision-making. The MLAs’ protest is a stark reminder that these communities still face challenges in accessing their rights.
The inclusion of the Dhangar community in the ST reservation category is also a contentious issue. The Dhangar community has been classified as a Nomadic Tribe, and they argue that they have distinct cultural and economic characteristics from other ST communities.
The decision to include the Dhangars in the ST category has been met with resistance from some tribal communities, who fear that it will reduce the benefits available to them.
Outlook
The protest by the tribal MLAs has raised important questions about tribal rights and representation in Maharashtra. The government is under pressure to address their demands and find a solution that satisfies all stakeholders. The incident is likely to have a long-term impact on the state’s political and social landscape.
Divya 
Mehek