Maharashtra’s Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal and three other legislators jumped from the third floor of the Mantralaya protesting the inclusion of the Dhangar community in the Scheduled Caste category. They landed on a protective net one floor below, which was installed in 2018 to prevent suicide attempts in the secretariat.
Zirwal, who is a member of the Nationalist Congress Partry Ajit Pawar faction, and three other legislators including a Bharatiya Janata Party member opposed the demand of including the Dhangar community in the ST category. The demand of the Dhangar community is being considered by the government.
The legislators were reported to be safe. Earlier in the day some tribal legislators held demonstrations in the Mantralaya complex, when the cabinet meeting was in progress.
The Dhangar community is currently under OBC (Other Backward Class) category and is demanding their inclusion in the ST category. The community in several other states is listed under the ST category.