Maharashtra Deputy Speaker protest: A high-stakes drama unfolded at Maharashtras Mantralaya as Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal, along with two other MLAs, attempted to jump from the third floor of the building. The protest was triggered by unresolved demands regarding the Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservation for the Dhangar community. A safety net, installed after previous incidents, saved them from serious injury.Dramatic protest over ST reservation demand, video surfacesNarhari Zirwal, who has been a vocal advocate for the tribal community, took the drastic step after a meeting with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde failed to address the demands for ST reservation and recruitment under the Pay Act. Along with two other MLAs from the ruling party, Zirwal jumped onto the safety net surrounding the Mantralaya building. The net, installed to prevent such incidents, successfully stopped any serious injuries, but the Deputy Speakers health deteriorated after the event. His rising blood pressure required immediate medical attention.Zirwal had previously warned that they had a “Plan B” if the government did not meet their demands. Despite multiple meetings with the Chief Minister, including two prior to the protest, Zirwal and his colleagues felt that their concerns were being ignored, leading to this extreme measure.#WATCH NCP अजित पवार गुट के विधायक और डिप्टी स्पीकर नरहरि झिरवाल महाराष्ट्र मंत्रालय की तीसरी मंजिल से कूदे, वे सुरक्षा जाल में फंस गए। पुलिस मौके पर मौजूद है। अधिक जानकारी की प्रतीक्षा है। pic.twitter.com/mSTSpR1eAt— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) October 4, 2024Core issues behind the protestThe central issue revolves around the demand for ST reservation, particularly for the Dhangar community, and the implementation of the Pay Act for tribal recruitment. Zirwal and other tribal MLAs have long been fighting to ensure that the rights and reservations for the tribal communities remain intact. They argue that any alteration to the reservation system would harm the underprivileged sections of society, and their repeated appeals to the government have gone unanswered.Frustration reached a boiling point during their meeting with the Chief Minister, prompting the dramatic protest in a bid to draw attention to their cause. After being removed from the safety net, Zirwal and the other MLAs continued their protest through a sit-in (Thiya Andolan) within the Mantralaya premises, vowing not to relent until their demands are met.Opposition criticizes governments inactionThe incident has sparked sharp criticism from the opposition. Leader of the Opposition, Vijay Wadettiwar, lambasted the government, accusing it of ignoring the concerns of the tribal community and even those of its own ruling party members. He stated, If the government cannot address the issues raised by its own MLAs, how can it be expected to handle the concerns of the common peopleSeveral prominent figures from the tribal community, including MLAs and MPs like Kiran Lahamte, Hemant Savara, and Kashiram Kotkar, also expressed their discontent. They had come to Mantralaya to meet with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde but left disappointed after the meeting yielded no results. Lahamte voiced his frustration, saying, The government continues to ignore not only the demands of the MLAs but also the ongoing protests by students and the tribal community.Protests continue, demands unmetDespite the dramatic protest, the situation remains unresolved. Narhari Zirwal and the other MLAs are determined to continue their sit-in until their demands for ST reservation and recruitment rights under the Pay Act are acknowledged and addressed by the government. The protest marks a critical point in the ongoing struggle for tribal rights in Maharashtra.
