Jaipur, November 25, 2024.
Tribal communities from southern Rajasthan held a massive rally under the banner of Adivasi Aarakshan Manch (AAM) in Banswara on Sunday to press for their long-standing demand for a 6.5% sub-quota within the 12% state-level reservation for Scheduled Tribes (ST). They urged the state govt to address their concerns in the upcoming winter session of the assembly.
Leaders from various tribal regions and communities, along with functionaries of some political parties, gathered at the event and voiced their demands for “immediate justice”, urging the govt to ensure proportional representation for Scheduled Area tribes in state services. BJP leader and former Cabinet minister Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya pledged unwavering support to the demand, saying, “If we need to camp in Jaipur with the Aarakshan Manch team, we will. We are determined to secure a 6.5% sub-quota reservation for Scheduled Area tribes.”
Hundreds of participants in the event, who came from tribal-dominated districts such as Dungarpur, Banswara, Pratapgarh and Udaipur, carried banners proclaiming, “Create Sub-Quota.” Addressing the gathering, Kamlakant Katara, an advisor to AAM’s central committee, described the rally as a pivotal moment for the uplift of marginalised communities in Rajasthan.
“A 6.5% sub-quota in all services will safeguard the future of thousands of Bhil tribal youth. The govt must also relax eligibility criteria to ensure vacant positions are filled and justice is served,” said Katara. He cautioned tribal political leaders, saying that if they see their future in politics, they must raise the issue central to the tribal community in the state.
Speakers at the rally contended that a major share of the ST’s 12% reservation is being taken away by the Meena community, which dominates eastern Rajasthan. “The need for a sub-quota is based on the fact that Bhil tribal groups of southern Rajasthan are not getting their due share in the reservation as they are less educated compared to the Meena community,” said Katara.
Former BJP MP from Banswara, Kanakmal Katara, expressed optimism and said the demand was both just and achievable. He assured the gathering that he would raise this issue before the top ranks in BJP in both Jaipur and in Delhi.
