Koli youth attempts suicide during protest at Yeshwant Stadium

 

 

 

Tension gripped the area around Yashwant Stadium on Saturday when a young man from the Koli community, who was participating in the agitation demanding reservation, attempted suicide by jumping from the stadium. The incident took place during a semi-nude protest called by the Adya Krantikarak Raghoji Bhangare Praneet Samiti. The protest included an indefinite hunger strike to demand Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate and validity process.

 

As the protest began in the morning, the young man, wearing only undergarments, suddenly ran across the stadium and climbed the stairs. Panic gripped the spot when he yelled he would jump from the stadium. Police personnel had a tough time stopping him from ‘committing suicide’ and struggled for some time before managing to save him. The incident caused a stir and created a tense atmosphere at the stadium.

 

The protesters alleged that claims of Mahadev Koli, Malhar Koli and Dhor Koli communities living outside scheduled areas are being rejected because old school and revenue records before 1950 mention only“Koli.”They demanded that these records, which were prepared as per the laws of that period, should be accepted as valid proof and that a government order in this regard be implemented immediately.

 

The protesting youth said that due to the absence of clear and uniform criteria, thousands of families are suffering, with their education, employment and reservation rights being affected. Later, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare visited the protest site and held talks with the agitators. Following her mediation, the protesters calmed down and the situation was brought under control.