Maharashtra Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal reportedly attempted to jump from the third floor of the Maharashtra secretariat building on Friday afternoon. The National Congress Party (NCP) MLA, however, landed safely on the safety net in the building. The drastic step comes amidst ongoing protests against the ST (Scheduled Tribe) reservation demanded by the Dhangar (shepherds) community.
As per media reports, at least two tribal legislators also jumped off the third floor of the Mantralaya building in Mumbai and landed on the safety nets on Friday afternoon, an official said. Police have reached the spot and removed the protesting lawmakers from the net.
None of the protesters were seriously injured in the incident, the official said.
The Ajit Pawar's faction leader, along with several other tribal MLAs, was protesting against the inclusion of the Dhangar community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservation category. They were demanding that Dhangars should not be given the ST reservation and called for services under the PESA (Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act.
Meanwhile, the situation in Maharastra remained tense as discussions on the controversial issue continued. With the Maharashtra Assembly election around the corner, the demand by the Dhangars for category change in reservation is gaining momentum. Currently, the community is part of the Nomadic Tribes (NT) category under which they get up to 3.5 per cent reservation benefits in government jobs and education. Inclusion in the ST category will reportedly increase the reservation quota to 7 per cent.
Since September 9, at least six people from the Dhangar community, including Deepak Borate, Yogesh Dharam, Vijay Tamnar, Mauli Harnawal, Ganesh Keskar, and Yashwant Gayke, have been on an indefinite hunger strike in Pandharpur demanding reservation.