Tribal MLAs oppose inclusion of Dhangars in ST category

An all-party delegation of 25 MLAs and Ministers from tribal areas of Maharashtra today asked Governor K Sankaranarayanan not to recommend to the Centre the inclusion of Dhangar and other non-tribal communities in the list of Scheduled Tribes of Maharashtra.
The delegation comprising ministers Madhukarrao Pichad, Shivajirao Moghe, Padmakar Walvi, Deputy Speaker Vasant Purke and MLAs from various political parties told the Governor that all tribal MLAs will resign from the legislature if the government recommended inclusion of Dhangar and other communities in the list of Scheduled Tribes.
Some political parties, "with an eye on Assembly elections", were assuring Dhangar and other communities of inclusion in the list of Scheduled Tribes, members of the delegation said.

This had caused a deep unrest among tribals communities in Maharashtra, they said.
Claiming that a large number of non-tribals had already usurped the government jobs meant for tribals through bogus caste certificates, the delegation urged the Governor to protect the Constitutional rights of tribals.
A Raj Bhavan spokesperson said the Governor assured the delegation that he will discuss the matter with the Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.