Thousands of OBCs march in Gondia demanding caste census with separate OBC column

Members of the OBC community held a massive rally in Gondia city demanding a caste-wise census. The march was held today, the 1st, at Jaystambh Chowk in the city, with the resolve "No data, no share for OBCs" and "We must fight our own battle".

The protest ran from 11 am to 3 pm. Thousands of OBC community members from Gondia district, along with social workers, youths and women, took part of their own accord. The march began from Jaystambh Chowk, and slogans of "Jai OBC" resounded across the city.

Participants angrily asked why a separate column is not given to OBCs in the census, as it is for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). They expressed anger at why the government is avoiding a caste-wise count of the majority OBC group when every other segment is counted separately in the country. They also warned of an intensified struggle while calling for a caste-wise census.

OBC organisations alleged that although the Central government is conducting a caste-wise census, OBCs have been wronged in it. They said the absence of a separate column for OBCs, unlike other categories, has raised questions about the very purpose of the census. The organisations also alleged that OBCs, the largest group in the country, are being deliberately wronged.

Speakers at the rally said that wild animals and birds in the country are counted separately and conserved, but not counting the more than 50 per cent of the country's people who are OBCs is a grave injustice and violates the rights given by the Constitution. The marchers said they had spent many generations unaware of their rights, and that the illusion that some messiah would come and fight their battle has burst. They said that since everyone is wrapped up in self-interest, OBCs must now take to the streets themselves and win this fight.

The protesters demanded that the government give up its evasive stance and conduct a caste-wise census of OBCs. The appeal "Rise, OBC king, rise! Your family, your community and the future of the entire OBC category are looking to you," brought fresh energy to the youths.

The march was entirely peaceful and held in a democratic manner. Through it, the government's attention was drawn and the demand for a caste-wise census was pressed. The government was warned that the majority OBC community will not rest until a caste-wise census is held.

Convenors of the Sakal OBC Mahamorcha, including Umesh Koram, Manoj Mendhe, Sunil Patle, Khemendra Katre, Kailash Bhelave, Bhumesh Shende, Amar Warhade, Pushpa Khotele, S. U. Vanjari, Pankaj Yadav, Chandrakumar Bahekar, Ravi Ambule, Ajabrao Rinayat, Nikhil Bansod, Prakash Kakade, Guddu Lilhare, Sunil Tarone, Rajesh Nagarikar, Gangadhar Parshuramkar, Y. T. Katre, Om Patle, Vijay Funde, Bunty Panchbudhe, Manoj Sharanagat, Om Katre, Ravi Patle, Ganesh Barde, Pappu Patle, Bhumesh Takre, Santosh Khobragade, Surendra Sonwane, B. M. Karamkar, Savan Katre, Tirtharaj Uke, Ravi Bhandarkar, Atul Satdeve, Paresh Durugkar, Vinayak Yedewar, Krishna Brahmankar, Bhojraj Funde, Naresh Parihar, Dilip Gautam, Prakash Patle, Kishor Dongarwar, Sandeep Tidke, Khomendra Rahangdale, Malti Kinnake, Surendra Khobragade and Savita Bedarkar, along with thousands of community members, took an active part in making the march a success.