The Rajbhar community in Uttar Pradesh is on the brink of a significant change in its status as the Yogi Adityanath-led government has taken steps to include the Bhar and Rajbhar castes in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category. The government has conducted surveys in various districts of the state to advance this plan, and preparations are underway to submit a proposal to the central government seeking approval for the community’s inclusion in the ST list.
After a meeting with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath a few days ago, members of the Rajbhar community submitted a proposal to the Centre, urging their inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes category. Reportedly, the Chief Minister has consented to the demand, and the proposal has been forwarded to the Department of Social Welfare for further submission to the central government.
Om Prakash Rajbhar, a member of the Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly and leader of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), pointed out the discrepancy, highlighting that the Bhar and Rajbhar communities are currently listed under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category in Uttar Pradesh, whereas in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, they enjoy Scheduled Tribe status. He expressed optimism that Uttar Pradesh would soon grant the communities the benefits of ST categorization, providing greater educational and employment opportunities for the youth of the community.
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In response to the development, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) stated that they do not oppose the inclusion of the Rajbhar caste in the ST community. However, they emphasized that any reservation granted to the Rajbhar community after their inclusion should not adversely affect the current reservation status of the Scheduled Tribes.
On the other hand, Professor Bhuvan Bhaskar Joshi, a national spokesperson of the Samajwadi Party, accused the Yogi government of using the proposed inclusion of the Rajbhar caste in the ST category as an electoral strategy for the 2024 elections. He criticized the government’s treatment of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, and minorities (Muslims), alleging oppression. He predicted that the 2024 elections would witness a united front of marginalized communities forming a formidable alliance against the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
As the Yogi Adityanath government prepares to send its proposal to the Centre, the fate of the Rajbhar community’s inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes category remains to be seen.
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