A dramatic incident unfolded at Maharashtra’s Mantralaya on Friday as Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal and three other legislators jumped from the third floor during a protest. The protest was organized to oppose the state government’s consideration of including the Dhangar community in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category.
Narhari Zirwal, who is aligned with the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and three other politicians, including a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP, took the leap from the building. Fortunately, a safety net installed in 2018, designed to prevent suicide attempts, was in place one floor below, allowing the legislators to land safely. No injuries were reported, as the net absorbed the fall.
Video footage captured the bizarre moment, showing the legislators climbing back into the building moments after landing on the net. Their protest, though extreme, was clearly well-coordinated, reflecting the growing tensions over the ongoing issue of the Dhangar community reservation.
#WATCH | NCP leader Ajit Pawar faction MLA and deputy speaker Narhari Jhirwal jumped from the third floor of Maharashtra’s Mantralaya and got stuck on the safety net. Police present at the spot. Details awaited pic.twitter.com/nYoN0E8F16
— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2024
Tensions Over Tribal Reservations
Earlier that day, tribal MLAs had also staged protest at Mantralaya during a cabinet meeting, attended by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis. The Dhangar community, currently classified under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, has been vocally campaigning for recognition as a Scheduled Tribe (ST), which would entitle them to certain benefits and reservations.
The demand stems from claims that the Dhangar community is historically linked to the Dhangads, a group recognized as Scheduled Tribes in other states. In recent weeks, protests have gained momentum across Maharashtra, with a particularly large demonstration taking place in Pandharpur, Solapur district.
Government Response and Rising Unrest
Two weeks ago, Chief Minister Shinde assured Dhangar community leaders that their demands would be addressed without affecting the interests of other groups. However, recent statements from Minister Shambhuraj Desai hinting at a potential government resolution to grant ST status to the Dhangars have sparked fierce opposition from tribal groups. In response, tribal leaders held a meeting in Mumbai to voice their discontent and intensify their resistance.
MUST READ: Delhi Doctor Shot Dead: Teen Killer Boasts on Social Media, ‘Kar diya 2024 mein murder’
