NCP leader Dhananjay Munde demands Scheduled Tribe status for Banjara community

Addressing a rally organised by the Banjara community in Beed on Monday to demand ST status under the Hyderabad gazette, Munde said, ”The state government should appoint a committee to give Scheduled Tribe status to the Banjara community. The community is part of the ST segment in states like Rajasthan and Telegana…I will support the Banajara community till they get ST status.” The Banjara community took out a morcha to the district collectorate and submitted a memorandum of their demands.

The Beed rally was held in the background of the alleged suicide of a 32-year-old graduate from the Banjara community on Saturday. He had left behind a note demanding ST status for the community. Besides, two people from the Banjara community have been on an indefinite hunger strike outside the Jalna district collectorate since September 11, demanding ST status for the community. A massive rally was also taken out in Jalna by the Banjara community

‘If I was the ministry, I would have not have participated in today’s morcha. Since I am not the minister, I have got the opportunity to air the grievances of the community. I am fully confident that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and both the Deputy Chief Ministers will make all efforts to ensure justice to the Banjara community. The Hyderbad Gazette has accorded Scheduled Tribe status to the Banjara community and therefore they should get the ST status,” said Munde.

Stating that he shared close relations with the Banjara community, the NCP leader said, ”I know names of half of the people present here. Therefore your fight is my fight. I will stand by you till you get justice. The government will certainly take positive action on the Banjara community’s demand.”

NCP MLA Vijaysinh Pandit and NCP (S-P) MLA Sandeep Shirsagar were also present at the rally.

Even as Munde was addressing the crowd, some agitators got up and protested that Banjara and Vanjari community were not the same. During his speech, Munde had claimed that Banjara and Vanjari community were the same. The agitating youth argued that Banjara and Vanjari community were not the same and that Munde should withdraw his words. Munde had to stop his speech for a while before continuing.