Kolhapur: Members of the Dhangar community held a protest at the Ankali toll naka, along the Kolhapur and Sangli district border, obstructing traffic for around half an hour on Thursday morning. The Dhangars, who are shepherds by profession, want Scheduled Tribe status for their community. Currently, the community is in the Other Backward Category of the reservation policy. The protesters claim that Dhangars too have suffered like other communities in the ST category. They said communities involved in sheep rearing work in all other states are classified in the ST category, except the Dhangars in Maharashtra. Amar Pujari, the convener of the protest, said, We observed a chakka-jam along Kolhapur-Sangli road to support the hunger strike going on at Choundi village for our long-pending demand of ST status. We also demand a separate corporation for the welfare of the Dhangars in the state. We expect the state to take a decision soon. We will continue to put pressure on the government. Political parties have also extended support to the protest organised by the Dhangar community. Hundreds of Dhangars, in traditional shephard attire, took part in the protest. Long queues of vehicles were seen along the highway for a long time. The police detained the protesters and later let them go. The delegation of protesters met officers of the Shirol tehsil office and submitted a petition of demands.We also published the following articles recentlyMaharashtra: Dhangars seek quota, to block Kolhapur-Sangli highway todayMembers of the Dhangar community in Shirol village are planning to block the Kolhapur-Sangli highway to demand reservation under the Schedule Tribes (ST) category. The community claims that they have been facing injustice for 70 years and that the government has ignored their demand for reservation. A statement has been given to the local police station about the planned highway blockade.Dhangars to block hway at Udgaon todayMembers of the Dhangar community in Shirol village are planning to block the Kolhapur-Sangli highway to demand reservation under the Schedule Tribes (ST) category. They claim that the government has ignored their demand for 70 years. Meanwhile, over a lakh members of the Maratha community marched in Sangli city, demanding reservation through the OBC quota. The Mali community is protesting against the inclusion of Marathas in the OBC quota. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured the OBC and Kunbi communities that their reservation will not be affected.ST reservations for Dhangars: Govt to seek report in 1 mnthThe chief minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, met with activists from the Dhangar community who have been on a 16-day hunger strike. He stated that the government would request a report within a month on providing Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservation to the community and would pursue the legal case in the high court. The Dhangars, who currently have a 3.5% quota in Maharashtra, are seeking the same status as STs, who have a 7% quota. The government is positively considering their demand and is willing to set up a committee if necessary.

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