Satara, Correspondent

Padma Shri awardee and veteran social activist Laxman Mane has demanded that the 42 Nomadic and Denotified Tribes (Vimukta Jatis) of Maharashtra be excluded from the OBC category and included in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category, as has been done in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Quoting the Hyderabad Gazette, he said this inclusion in other states clearly justifies similar action in Maharashtra. Addressing a press conference, Mane warned that his community would not allow the upcoming local body elections to take place unless the state government acted promptly on their demand.

Leaders and representatives present
The press conference was held at the Government Rest House in Satara, where Mane interacted with journalists. Among those present were Narayan Jawalikar (General Secretary, Vimukta Jati Sanghatana), Datta Mendhkar, Ashok Jadhav, Machhindra Jadhav, Haridas Jadhav, Rambhau Jadhav, Deepak Jadhav, and Nilesh More, among others.

Will seek legal recourse if necessary
Mane stated that the state government is expected to announce local self-government elections soon. “Before doing so, the government must exclude the 42 nomadic tribes from the OBC list and allot a separate 5.5% reservation quota to the Vimukta community,” he said. Otherwise, he warned, “We will prevent all local body elections across the state. If law and order issues arise, the full responsibility will rest with the government.”
He added that the organization’s network extends across 29 districts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai, and urged the administration to take this seriously. “The government cannot hold elections without our participation. If needed, we will also approach the courts for justice,” Mane asserted.

Acknowledges Manoj Jarange for breaking the reservation deadlock
Mane further said that for the past fifty years, the nomadic tribes have had no separate budgetary head in the Union government’s allocations. “State leaders often tell us that examples from other states cannot apply to Maharashtra. But when the state can use references from Hyderabad, Satara, and Bombay Gazettes to issue Kunbi certificates to the Maratha community, why can’t similar precedents apply to us?” he questioned.

He informed that on October 16, 2025, representatives of 42 communities from Western Maharashtra held a march from Shaniwarwada to the District Collector’s office in Pune to submit a memorandum pressing their demands. Mane also expressed gratitude to Maratha Kranti Morcha leader Manoj Jarange for breaking the political deadlock over reservation and giving new momentum to community-based justice movements.

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