Chhotaudepur: Why tribal Chhotaudepur town observed bandh last week?

The reason is related to quota reservation system and its alleged misuse followed by strict government scrutiny.

In recent past, the tribals of Panchmahal, Mahisagar, Dahod had through various organization complained that fake tribals were getting govt jobs under tribal quota by producing fake caste certificates. The government had in response started a drive to scrutinise the caste certificate of those who were recruited in govt under reserved quota for tribal(schedule tribe or ST).

Some Rathwa Koli tribals complained that they were facing difficulty in getting caste certificate as ST. Some other Rathwas complained that their caste certificates were under scrutiny after getting government jobs following application for the same moved by other groups of tribals.

On 9th of March, all markets in Chhota Udepur district which is majorly populated by Rathwa Koli tribals observed bandh. The leadership of this bandh was taken by a Jani monk who was originally a Rathwa tribal in his worldy life. The name of the monk is Gunivarya Rajendravijayji Maharaj Saheb. Jain monk was sitting on symbolic dharna with Rathwa community leaders over the issues of Rathwa tribes since 28th February at Kwant. The agitation was under the banner of Rathwa Sanvaidhanik Adhikar Abhiyan Sankalan Samiti.

One of the issues was pertaining to 72A entry in revenue records in the case of Rathwas.

Congress and BJP leaders Naran Rathwa, Mohansinh Rathwa, Sukhram Rathwa, Jashubhai Rathwa, Ramsinh Rathwa, Dhulkiben Rathwa, Bilsinh Rathwa etc also led the agitation.

Rathwa tribals burnt Ratansinh Bhuriya in effigy at Zanda chowk in Chhotaudepur.Ratansinh is president of Dahod Panchmahal Mahisagar Adivasi Samaj. It was Ratansinh who had made statement that Rathwa Koli caste is not part of tribals.

DeshGujarat