Dhangar Community Withdraws Support over Unmet Reservation Demands

The Dhangar community has announced it will no longer support Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena due to unaddressed demands for ST category quota. The community feels excluded from reservations and threatens to field candidates in upcoming elections if their issues persist.

The Dhangar community has declared it will withdraw its support from Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, citing unmet demands for quota inclusion under the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.

Dhangars, primarily shepherds from western Maharashtra and Marathwada, argue that their exclusion is due to the Centre's database, which lists 'Dhangad' but not 'Dhangar' as part of the ST category. They are currently classified under Nomadic Tribes.

Yashwant Sena's chief, Madhav Bhau Gade, expressed disappointment over the government's inaction and mentioned the possibility of fielding their candidates in the upcoming assembly elections.

(With inputs from agencies.)