Mumbai, Ramedh Autade
The Mang Garudi community has warned of an extreme protest if its long-pending demands are not addressed by the Maharashtra government by June 30. Addressing a press conference, Amar Kasbe said members of the community would stage a self-immolation protest at Azad Maidan on July 1 if their demands remain unresolved.
Kasbe alleged that despite submitting hundreds of representations and holding repeated agitations over the years, successive governments had failed to take the community's concerns seriously. He claimed that several senior leaders of the community had passed away while fighting for these issues, but meaningful action was still pending.
The organization has put forward several demands, including a special development package of ₹500 crore for the Mang Garudi community and the construction of a dedicated community hall in Mumbai. It has also sought the appointment of a study commission to assess the community's socio-economic conditions and recommend measures for its development.
Among other demands, the organization has called for the nomination of a member to the Legislative Council to raise issues concerning the community in the state legislature. It has also sought approval for 50,000 housing units for homeless Mang Garudi families across Maharashtra.
The community has demanded preferential employment opportunities for educated youth from the Mang Garudi community in government offices and welfare departments. It has further requested the allotment of five acres of land to landless families under the Karmaveer Dadasaheb Gaikwad Empowerment Scheme.
The organization has also urged the government to remove what it describes as restrictive conditions in the issuance of caste certificates and to consider recommendations from community organizations while processing such applications.
Additionally, it has sought financial assistance of ₹5 crore per entrepreneur under social welfare schemes to promote entrepreneurship within the community.
A key demand raised by the organization is the recognition of the Mang Garudi community as a separate caste category. Community leaders argue that Mang Garudi should not be classified as a sub-caste of the Matang community and should instead be granted an independent identity.
The organization stated that it would decide its future course of action based on the government's response to these demands before the June 30 deadline.
