In a dramatic protest against government policies, four members of the Maharashtra Assembly, including Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal, jumped from the third floor in Mumbai.
This bold action was taken in opposition to the government’s proposal to include the Dhangar community in the Scheduled Tribes category.
Among the protesters was a Bharatiya Janata Party member. Fortunately, all four landed safely in a safety net designed to prevent suicide attempts, installed in 2012.
The Dhangar community, classified as nomadic, currently receives a 3% quota in government jobs and educational institutions, while other tribal communities benefit from a 7% quota. Zirwal represents the Sharad Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party.
The issue of quotas in India has sparked significant social and political disputes across various states. Critics argue that these quotas, aimed at aiding marginalized communities, often fall into the wrong hands, resulting in social unrest and even riots, a theme that has also inspired several films.