UP Minister Sanjay Nishad Breaks Down, Threatens Resignation Over SC Status Demand
In a dramatic and emotional display, Uttar Pradesh minister Sanjay Nishad broke down on stage during a rally in Gorakhpur on Sunday, threatening to resign if the Nishad community is not granted Scheduled Caste (SC) status. The incident occurred as he addressed a state convention of the Nishad Party, a key ally of the ruling NDA in Uttar Pradesh, at Mahant Digvijaynath Park.
Clarion Call for 2027 Assembly Elections
Launching what he described as a clarion call for the 2027 Assembly elections, Nishad led a massive motorcycle rally of approximately 3,000 riders through Gorakhpur. The rally and subsequent convention were strategically organized on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Guhyaraj Nishad, revered as an ancestor and idol of the community. The event drew party leaders and workers from across the state, underscoring its significance.
During his address, Nishad became visibly emotional, alleging deep-seated injustice against his community. "Our votes are being taken away. The dignity of our sisters and daughters is being violated. We need to become stronger," he declared, urging supporters to unite and strengthen the party. He emphasized that the Nishad Party would organize four major rallies across Uttar Pradesh to press for the inclusion of the fishing community, currently classified under Other Backward Classes (OBC), into the SC category.
Constitutional Right and Historical Neglect
Nishad, who serves as the fishing minister in the state, asserted, "Our population should be counted among Scheduled Castes. This is our constitutional right." He accused previous governments of systematic neglect, alleging that the Samajwadi Party deprived the community of education, the Bahujan Samaj Party harmed their livelihood, and the Congress failed to offer any assistance on the matter.
The minister revealed that his party has been in ongoing talks with both the Centre and the BJP-ruled state government regarding this issue. He expressed confidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have been "serious about addressing the demand." Additionally, Nishad demanded a reallocation of 9 percent quota from the OBC category to the SCs to ensure better access to education and employment opportunities for the community.
Gratitude and Future Commitments
Thanking Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Nishad expressed hope that the state government would consider the demand sympathetically. He highlighted that the Nishad Party, formed a decade ago, remains steadfast in its commitment to securing reservation and other rights for various sub-castes within the fishing community.
Nishad also took the opportunity to showcase welfare measures undertaken by the fisheries department. He claimed that over 70,000 fishermen have benefited from schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and other state initiatives, demonstrating the government's efforts to support the community's livelihood.
The emotional outburst and strong demands from Nishad signal a pivotal moment in the political landscape of Uttar Pradesh, as the Nishad Party mobilizes its base ahead of the 2027 elections. The community's push for SC status could have far-reaching implications for reservation policies and social justice in the state.
