Jaipur: Tribal and Other Backward Class (OBC) organisations called for a boycott of chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma’s proposed visit to Baneshwar Dham in Dungarpur on March 16. The visit is part of the Rajasthan Day celebrations.Tribal leaders said they would oppose the CM’s visit unless concrete steps were taken on issues related to tribal rights and reservation. Their key demand is that Mangarh Dham be declared a national monument, a longstanding demand of tribal communities in southern Rajasthan and adjoining states. The groups also demanded that reservation for tribal communities in scheduled areas be increased from 45% to 65%. OBC organisations also backed the protest, seeking reservation benefits in tribal areas on a par with those available in non-tribal regions. Banswara MP Rajkumar Roat said tribal communities had little expectation from the BJP govt but would not allow their sentiments to be ignored. “Whenever the chief minister visits tribal areas, he comes with his corporate friends with an eye on our land. Our party MLAs will decide whether they will attend the programme or not,” Roat said. Mahendra Desai Rebari, vice-president of the Rabari Association, said posters and banners calling for a boycott of polls already appeared in several areas due to dissatisfaction with the state govt’s performance. Activists said awareness campaigns and protest calls were issued across Dungarpur and Banswara districts, with banners urging people to boycott the chief minister’s programme. Some groups also warned of a boycott of elections if their demands, including enhanced tribal reservation and recognition of Mangarh Dham, remained unaddressed.
