OBC Organizations Announce Major Protest Over Census and Education Policies
In a significant development, OBC organizations across the Vidarbha region have declared a sit-in demonstration at Samvidhan Square in Nagpur scheduled for February 17. The protest centers on what organizers describe as serious threats to constitutional protections for Other Backward Classes, stemming from both the current caste census format and recent University Grants Commission regulations.
Leadership and Concerns Behind the Protest Movement
The decision emerged from a crucial meeting in Nagpur led by Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar and former UGC chairman Sukhadeo Thorat. Representatives from numerous OBC groups throughout the region gathered to examine what they termed "technical flaws" in the census methodology and express apprehension about higher education policy directions.
Participants highlighted a particularly troubling aspect of the ongoing caste census: the household schedule reportedly places OBCs in an "other" category without providing a distinct column for their identification. This structural omission, they argue, could have profound long-term consequences for reservation systems, political representation, and the accuracy of demographic data that informs policy decisions.
Specific Grievances and Calls to Action
Vijay Wadettiwar issued a strong statement regarding the census format: "Until there is a separate column or clear mention of OBCs in the census, OBC citizens should not participate." He urged households to display placards outside their homes declaring they would cooperate only if OBCs were explicitly listed in the documentation.
Wadettiwar further alleged that this omission could jeopardize future reservation allocations in local self-government bodies and broader policy planning that relies on accurate caste-wise data. "The government is doing injustice to OBCs," he asserted, vowing that the agitation would continue "until this injustice is removed."
Educational Safeguards Under Threat
Former UGC chairman Sukhadeo Thorat expressed parallel concerns regarding new UGC regulations. He warned that these regulations could potentially create avenues for caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions unless existing clauses specifically safeguarding Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and OBC communities are preserved. Thorat emphasized the critical need to maintain these protective measures within the regulatory framework.
Organizational Strategy and Broader Implications
Organizers clarified that the February 17 protest would be conducted without any political affiliation, inviting all individuals "who wish to protect OBC interests" to participate. Beyond the Nagpur demonstration, they discussed comprehensive plans including:
- Similar district- and division-level protests across Maharashtra
- A youth convention scheduled for March aimed at mobilizing OBC students and young people
The leaders emphasized that this issue extends far beyond Nagpur or Vidarbha, carrying statewide implications. They framed census classification, educational safeguards, and reservation policies as interconnected concerns demanding immediate governmental attention and corrective action.
