In a powerful display of peaceful protest, Banjara community activist Bhausaheb Khandare has begun an indefinite hunger strike, sitting on a traditional charpoy in Jalna district of Maharashtra. The protest aims to intensify the long-standing demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Banjara community.
The Charpoy Protest: A Symbolic Stand
Khandare's choice of a simple charpoy (traditional Indian cot) as his protest platform adds deep symbolic meaning to his demonstration. This humble seating arrangement underscores the grassroots nature of his struggle and connects with the traditional lifestyle of the Banjara community.
Decades of Waiting for Recognition
The Banjara community, historically known as nomadic tribes, has been fighting for ST status for several decades. Despite numerous representations to various governments and committees, their demand remains unfulfilled, leaving the community in administrative limbo.
Why ST Status Matters
Scheduled Tribe status would provide the Banjara community with:
- Reservation in government jobs and educational institutions
- Access to specific welfare schemes and development programs
- Political representation through reserved constituencies
- Constitutional safeguards against discrimination
Growing Community Support
Since Khandare began his fast, local Banjara community members have been gathering at the protest site in increasing numbers. The demonstration has become a focal point for expressing collective frustration over the delayed recognition.
Government Response Awaited
The protest comes at a crucial time when the Maharashtra government has been reviewing several such long-pending demands from various communities. Activists hope that Khandare's extreme step will push the administration to take immediate concrete action.
The indefinite fast represents a critical moment in the Banjara community's struggle for constitutional recognition, with all eyes now on how both state and central governments will respond to this peaceful yet determined protest.
