Report and Pics from Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (RD/SP)

Mumbai, Aug 19: A thirty-member strong all party delegation of Adivasi (scheduled tribe), MLAs, MPs and peoples’ representatives, led by senior most MP Manikrao Gavit and MLA Madhukarrao Pichad, met the Governor S C Jamir at Raj  Bhavan, here on Tuesday August 18. 

Manikrao Gavit pointed out that only the parliament has the right to include or exclude a tribe from the list of scheduled tribes. He said that the government of Maharashtra has no right to include new caste or tribe in the existing list of scheduled tribes. He requested that no additional community be allowed to be included in the list of scheduled tribes.

The delegation demanded that the state government’s resolution, extending protection to the 95,000 non-Adivasis who had entered into the government service before June 15, 1995, allegedly producing false caste certificates, should be quashed forthwith. The delegation further requested the Governor that the state government should be directed to implement various rulings and decisions of the Supreme Court and the High Court over claims on caste affiliations.

The Governor assured the delegation that he will take up the matter with the state government.

Vasant Purke, D S Ahire, A T Pawar, Mahadeo Barora and other peoples’ representatives were present on the occasion.