In a bold move, Maharashtra Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal and three legislators, belonging to the Ajit Pawar faction of NCP, jumped off the third floor of the state secretariat building in Mumbai to oppose the demand for the Dhangar community's inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes category. Fortunately, they landed safely on a net installed in the building to prevent suicide attempts. Officials confirmed that none of them sustained any injuries. The incident was a part of a larger protest by tribal MLAs in the Mantralaya complex during a cabinet meeting, where Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis were present.
Maharashtra Deputy Speaker and Legislators Stage Protest by Jumping from State Secretariat Building
In an extraordinary turn of events, Maharashtra's Deputy Speaker, Narhari Zirwal, and three Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislators dramatically jumped from the third floor of the state secretariat building in Mumbai on October 19, 2022.
Background:
The protest stemmed from the long-standing demand of the Dhangar community to be included in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category. Tribal status confers various benefits, including job reservations, educational quotas, and other concessions.
The Dhangars have been agitating for decades, but their demands have been denied by successive governments. The issue has been particularly contentious in Maharashtra, where the Dhangar population is significant.
The Protest:
During a cabinet meeting on October 19, a group of tribal MLAs, including Zirwal and the three NCP legislators, held a protest in the Mantralaya complex, the seat of Maharashtra's government. The MLAs demanded immediate inclusion of the Dhangars in the ST category.
In a desperate move, Zirwal and his colleagues climbed onto a windowsill on the third floor and threatened to jump if their demands were not met. They were later joined by another MLA, who also threatened to jump.
The Jump:
To prevent any casualties, a safety net had been installed in the building to deter suicide attempts. Despite this, Zirwal and the three legislators jumped from the third floor.
Fortunately, they landed safely on the net, which cushioned their fall. Officials confirmed that none of them sustained any injuries.
Aftermath:
The incident sent shockwaves through the state and raised concerns about the safety measures in government buildings. It also highlighted the growing frustration among Dhangar community members over the delay in addressing their demands.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde condemned the protest and ordered an inquiry into the incident. He also appealed to the Dhangars to maintain peace and order.
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