Mumbai: The Maharashtra government’s decision to refer to the Hyderabad Gazette to look for Kunbi records and grant Kunbi certificates to Marathas in Marathwada, qualifying them for reservation under the OBC category, has opened a political Pandora’s box.
After Marathas, Banjaras, currently classified under Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNT) category with 3 percent quota in state-run educational institutions and government jobs, are demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status through the Hyderabad Gazette.
Thousands from the community organised demonstrations across the state Monday, particularly in Beed and Jalna districts. The Banjaras plan another protest in Buldhana on 25 September, followed by Yavatmal, Amravati and other districts.
At the Jalna protest, Congress MLC Rajesh Rathod, who belongs to the community, demanded that the state government issue a Government Resolution (GR) within a month.
“If the state government doesn’t come out with a GR in one month, we will block the entire city of Mumbai. The community will not leave a single road or chowk in Mumbai open. If the government wishes well for the community, they need to have a cabinet meeting soon over this and take out a GR,” Rathod said.
ThePrint reached Rajesh Rathod via call for comment but had not received a response by the time of publication. This report will be updated if and when a response is received.
The Banjara community is arguing that the Hyderabad Gazette had classified them as nomads dependent on sheep rearing, placing them in the ST category. Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have already given them ST status, while they are categorised as Scheduled Castes (SCs) in Karnataka and are part of the OBC list in Maharashtra.
They contend that if the Hyderabad Gazette is considered, they too can be included in the ST category and avail a higher quota of up to 7 percent.
During British rule, Marathwada was part of the Nizam-ruled princely state of Hyderabad. The 1918 Hyderabad Gazette is considered a valid document with information related to caste, community and other details about the place, such as geography and topography.
The agitation gained momentum after a 32-year-old Banjara graduate from Dharashiv allegedly died by suicide Saturday. According to a report by PTI, the deceased left behind a note demanding ST status for the community. In addition, two Banjara youths have been on an indefinite hunger strike outside the Jalna collector’s office since 11 September.
The Banjara protests come against the backdrop of increasing tensions between the Marathas and OBCs, who oppose the implementation of the Hyderabad Gazette, saying that granting Kunbis OBC status will reduce their reservation quota.
With local body polls around the corner, several local leaders have come out in support of the Banjara community. For instance, NCP MLA from Parli Dhananjay Munde, addressing a protest rally in Beed this week, said the community should be given ST status.
“Maharashtra government should appoint a committee to give ST status to Banjara community. It is part of the ST segment in many states, including Rajasthan and Telangana,” said Munde, who wrote to CM Devendra Fadnavis with the demand last week.
However, the Mahayuti is treading cautiously. Reacting to the community’s protests, state Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule told the media Wednesday that different communities often make such demands in their quest for justice. “But there are certain rules and norms for reservation. If any community needs to be included, it needs to be sent to the central government. And so whatever their demands are, we will discuss them with them,” Bawankule said.
Political analyst Abhay Deshpande told ThePrint that this issue will not have a major impact on local body polls, as the outcome of smaller elections is often influenced by local equations and candidates.
“STs are majorly vote banks of the BJP and the Congress. And so I don’t think these two parties will take any stand on the issue this way or that way. As far as others are concerned, Sanjay Rathod, MLA from Banjara community, is with Shiv Sena (Shinde), but Pohradevi Mahant is supporting Uddhav Thackeray’s Sena UBT. So it gets divided that way,” he said.
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Political significance
The Banjaras, though not a large community with a population of about 3 crore concentrated in Vidarbha and parts of Marathwada, are politically important.
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off the 2024 assembly campaign for the Mahayuti, he started his day-long tour with Washim in Vidarbha, where he inaugurated the Banjara heritage museum and offered prayers at the Pohradevi temple. The Pohradevi shrine is sacred to Banjara community and is often called the ‘Kashi’ of the Banjara Samaj.
Modi also offered tributes at Sant Sevalal Maharaj’s Samadhi, revered in the community as a spiritual guru. He even played the ‘Nangara’, an instrument that holds a special place in Banjara culture.
Deshpande says that STs have reserved seats in local body polls and gaining ST status will enable the Banjara community to increase its political representation. And so the Mahayuti is unlikely to antagonise the OBC community just ahead of the local body polls.
“The OBC unrest is something that the BJP will have to worry considering it is a large chunk of the population. Whereas the Banjara samaj is quite concentrated in certain pockets and so local equations and leaders will have an impact on the polling,” Deshpande said.
Adding, “All political parties believe their people need to be there in every community, representing all sides. So tomorrow, if any more leaders join in and lend their support to one community or another, it should not be any surprise.”
(Edited by Sugita Katyal)
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